Celtic’s Dedryck Boyata was in talks with Anderlecht in January – and Kara Mbodji moving to Crystal Palace may jumpstart the deal.
Just three months ago, the prospect of Dedryck Boyata leaving Celtic for Anderlecht appeared a distinct possibility. According to the Daily Record, the Belgium international centre-back, who had been frozen out of the first-team picture by manager Brendan Rodgers, was in talks with the club ahead of a proposed mid-season move.
However, it’s fair to say Boyata has made the right decision turning down offers and instead fighting for his place at Parkhead, as reported by Herald Scotland. The former Manchester City youngster is now one of the first names on Rodgers’ team sheet, starting 11 Scottish Premiership games in 2017 after featuring just once prior to the turn of the year.
As such, previously first-choice centre-back Erik Sviatchenko has admitted that he may consider his future at the club after being forced out of the starting XI.
Nonetheless, could there still be a chance that Boyata will depart at the end of the season? Belgian publication HLN report that the 26-year-old’s father was spotted at Anderlecht’s match with KV Oostende at the weekend, speaking to the president of the Belgian giant’s opponents.
And while that should perhaps be taken with a pinch of salt, the same report claims that Anderlecht see Boyata as the ideal replacement for in-demand centre-back Kara Mbodji.
Therefore, Crystal Palace may play a major role in Boyata’s Celtic future. Mbodji told HLN at the weekend that he would be open to a move to England after Palace had a £10 million bid rejected in January.
With inspired loanee Mamadou Sakho unlikely to make his deal from Liverpool permanent according to manager Sam Allardyce, the Senegal international could once again be subject to interest from The Eagles this summer.
And, if Mbodji does make the move to Selhurst Park, it could have repercussions north of the border.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
