Three Dedryck Boyata replacements Celtic must consider in January
Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed defender Dedryck Boyata is likely to leave the club at some point.
It is no secret that Boyata wanted to leave Celtic before the transfer window slammed shut, having garnered a lot of interest following his impressive displays for Belgium at the World Cup.
Fulham were interested in the Belgian defender but Celtic stood firm and rejected a £9million bid from the Premier League club in the summer.
Despite Boyata’s contract expiring at the end of this season, Celtic refused to cash in during the transfer window. Now that the Belgian is out of contract next summer, Rodgers should start planning for the future and evaluate potential January deals.
That being said, here are three players Celtic must consider signing in January to replace Boyata.
Stijn Wuytens (AZ Alkmaar)
Stijn Wuytens is a Belgian defender currently plying his trade for Eredivisie side AZ Alkmaar.
Wuytens, 29, is primarily a centre-back but due to his versatility, he can play at left-back, left wing-back and in defensive midfield.
The Belgian has volumes of European experience, having played in the Netherlands and Belgium. Wuytens is contracted at Alkmaar until 2020, and hence he should be within Celtic’s spending power.
Tall and aerially imposing, Wuytens would be an ideal replcement for Boyata at Parkhead.
Jeffrey Bruma (Wolfsburg)
According to the Bild, Celtic were interested in Wolfsburg centre-back Jeffrey Bruma in the summer. However, a move didn’t materialise and Bruma has since stayed with Wolfsburg.
But come January, Celtic must reignite their interest in the Dutch defender. Bruma, 26, is a left-footed central defender blessed with power and aerial ability. He is composed with the ball at his feet and is capable of building attacks from the back.
A player with good experience in Europe, Bruma is one option Celtic must definitely consider in January.
Scott McKenna (Aberdeen)
Scott McKenna was a Celtic target in the summer but Aberdeen refused to sell their star defender to Premiership rivals. In fact, Aberdeen rejected a bid in the region of £3.5m from Celtic for McKenna.
With Boyata free to sign a pre-contract agreement with a foreign club in January, the Hoops must rekindle their interest in the player.
McKenna is one of the most highly-rated defenders in the Scottish Premiership and is now a Scotland international. The Scotsman’s composure and quality on the ball allows him to carry the ball from the back.
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All in all, McKenna has all the qualities to succeed at Celtic Park.