Report: Spanish side Villarreal enter race for Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata

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Boyata’s future at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers remains in doubt.

Spanish outlet Marca have claimed that La Liga side Villarreal have entered the running to sign Celtic defender Dedryck Boyata, before the Spanish deadline at 11pm.

Boyata, 27, has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Celtic, and has angered many Hoops fans after claiming he was injured ahead of the Champions League clash against AEK Athens earlier this month.

Brendan Rodgers confirmed after the match that the Belgium World Cup star was indeed fit to play, with his agent claiming previously that he was unwilling to sign a new deal in a bid to leave the Scottish champions.

Since then, Boyata has returned to the Celtic fold and scored on his return against Hamilton before playing the entire 90 minutes against FK Suduva on Thursday night in the Hoops’ Europa League clash.

With the deadline closing in, the former Manchester City defender looks increasingly likely to remain at Celtic. But Villarreal’s interest could indeed see the powerhouse move on, if Villarreal defender Victor Ruiz moves to Zenit.

It is believed talks between Villarreal and Celtic have been “accelerated” in recent hours, and it could indeed see the defender leave Parkhead before 11pm.

Celtic are said to be closing in on the loan signing of Filip Benkovic from Leicester City after he was spotted at Celtic Park on Thursday night, while the club have completed the free agent signing of Youssouf Mulumbu.