Scottish Premiership champions Celtic are determined to keep Dedryck Boyata but Premier League newcomers Fulham really want the World Cup star.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers might have been walking with an extra spring in his step on Monday morning when it appeared that Calum Chambers was set to join Alfie Mawson at Fulham.
But despite The Cottagers bringing in two new centre-backs, it seems that they are in fact still interested in raiding the Scottish Premiership champions for their Belgian international Dedryck Boyata.
And The Mail is reporting that they are willing to pay a big fee for a player who will be out of contract and a free agent in less than a years’ time.
It is reported that Fulham have seen a £9 million bid rejected by Celtic. But the Londoners are prepared to raise their bid to a staggering £12 million.
And, crucially, former Manchester City man Boyata is understood to be keen on a return to the Premier League with his stock high after Belgium’s run to the semi-finals of the World Cup.
So Celtic can expect a nervy end to the transfer window.
Fulham have also brought in Maxime Le Marchand from Nice but, like Chambers, he is capable of playing at full-back if required. And the fact that Mawson will be out until September with injury means there’s still room for Boyata at Craven Cottage.
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