Celtic manager Neil Lennon has refused to rule out the possibility of defender Dedryck Boyata staying at the club next season, as reported by The Daily Record.
Boyata’s current deal at the club expires at the end of the current campaign and there has been no sign he is close to signing up to new terms at Celtic Park.
Reports emerged over the weekend that he may have already agreed a contract at German side Hertha Berlin, but Lennon remains hopeful he may still end up signing on at the Hoops.
As quoted by The Daily Record, the Celtic boss said:
I’m not aware of that (agreement with Hertha), Dedryck was at the game today.
I wouldn’t be surprised if there is interest in him but we are still hopeful that we can persuade him to stay, which would be great for everyone.
The Belgian international has emerged over the last 18 months as our most impressive defender and while he doesn’t have the best reputation amongst the support, him staying would be a serious boost to the first-team squad this summer.
Replacing him will likely cost a few million pounds at least and that could be diverted elsewhere in the first-team.
Lennon’s comments are interesting but in my book the smart money is still on the defender leaving. Surely if he was interested in playing for Celtic he would have already signed a new deal?
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