Why Bournemouth should go all out for Dedryck Boyata in January
Scottish champions Celtic are open to selling defender Dedryck Boyata in the January transfer window, claims the Scottish Sun.
The Belgian international wanted to leave Celtic in the summer transfer window and tried to force through an exit by refusing to play for the Parkhead outfit. However, the Hoops refused to change their stance and the 27-year-old centre-back ended up staying at Celtic Park.
But given that Dedryck Boyata is in the final year of his contract, Celtic are considering cashing in on the defender in the January window rather than losing him for nothing at the end of the season.
Bournemouth must make a move for the Belgian defender in January. The Cherries have enjoyed an excellent start to the new Premier League campaign and currently sit sixth in the table with 20 points from 12 games.
The seaside club, however, have lost a bit of momentum following two consecutive defeats but Eddie Howe will be confident of getting a reaction from his boys against Arsenal after the international break.
Bournemouth play an exciting brand of football which is not only thrilling to watch for the fans but also for the neutrals. They don’t have supremely technically gifted players or a bunch of match-winners in the squad but Eddie Howe has managed to get the best out of his current lot.
After Bournemouth’s really good start to the season, crossing the 40-point mark is a bare minimum for them as they are playing like a mid-table side. Howe would surely be aiming for a Europa League berth and to realistically challenge for that, he needs to get a couple of players in the New Year.
And one area he surely needs to address is the defence, even though it has been decent this season.
The Cherries have the likes of Nathan Ake, Steve Cook and Simon Francis as options in central defence, while summer signing Jefferson Lerma can also operate as a centre-back. But Adam Smith’s nasty injury at Newcastle United could see Simon Francis fully operate at right-back, resulting in very limited depth in central defence.
A strong, physical and a no-nonsense defender, Boyata is also good with the ball at his feet. He is a leader on and off the pitch, and his experience and the know-how would prove to be invaluable to Bournemouth. At 27, the Belgian is playing at the peak of his powers and his natural leadership qualities are something that the Cherries could definitely do with.
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Come January, Bournemouth must boost their top-six hopes with the addition of Celtic star, Dedryck Boyata.