FIRM REFUSAL
Celtic have rejected three bids for Boyata, says agent
DEDRYCK BoYata’s agent claims Celtic have turned down multimillion pound bids for the unsettled defender from olympiakos, Fenerbahce and Fulham.
Jacques Lichtenstein has become embroiled in a transfer row with the Parkhead club after the Belgian World Cup star rejected a new contract and downed tools over their refusal to sell him.
Fulham had a bid turned down before the English transfer deadline last week. and Lichtenstein, who arrived at Lennoxtown unannounced last Friday to demand a meeting with Brendan Rodgers, claims the scottish champions have also kicked out offers from olympiakos of Greece and turkish giants Fenerbahce.
‘Previously there was interest from Fulham, olympiakos and
Fenerbahce,’ claimed Lichtenstein. ‘Offers of £7million and £8m — but apparently Celtic is financially strong enough not to go into that. It’s strange because, on the other hand, the club apparently does not have the money to make Dedryck a dignified new contract proposal.’
Rodgers will be bolstered by Moussa Dembele’s return from a hamstring injury for tomorrow night’s crucial Champions League qualifier with AEK Athens in Greece, but Boyata — who missed Saturday’s league defeat to Hearts — looks unlikely to play for Celtic again for fear of jeopardising hopes of a big-money transfer.
Sevilla, Lazio and Roma have all been credited with an interest, and Lichtenstein claimed: ‘Dedryck is currently slightly injured. He does not want to take the risk of making that injury worse, because in four months he can talk to any club about a free transfer.’
Celtic boss Rodgers admitted at the weekend that the situation was ‘difficult’ for 27-year-old Boyata.
Responding to a barrage of criticism from Lichtenstein in Belgian media over the weekend, Rodgers said after the 1-0 defeat to Hearts: ‘Dedryck’s agent turned up at the training ground.
‘The day before the game the training ground is closed.
‘He wanted to speak to me at 10 o’clock. But at 10.30am I had a game review.
‘I told him I wanted to speak to him afterwards, but when I returned after training, he was no longer there.’
Confirming he had made an unscheduled visit to the Lennoxtown training ground, Lichtenstein added: ‘That’s right. Dedryck did not feel well, that’s why we did not stay but if Brendan Rodgers wants to reach me, he can always do that.’
With Boyata AWOL and Kristoffer Ajer suspended, Rodgers will be forced to lean once more on the unfamiliar central defensive pairing of Jack Hendry and Jozo Simunovic in Athens.
A Simunovic error paved the way for Kyle Lafferty’s winner as the Scottish champions rested key players at Tynecastle. Insisting the duo can find a way to keep the back door shut, however, Hendry said: ‘Yes we train with each other every day, so we know each other’s games well. I thought in large spells we did really well together today.
‘The goal was unfortunate and we need to bounce back from that.
‘But I’m sure whoever plays in central defence will be more than capable.’
Bullish over Celtic’s chances in the Olympic Stadium despite the loss of an away goal in Glasgow, Hendry added: ‘If we play as we did at home, we shouldn’t have any problems. We’re confident going into that game and hopefully we can get the right result.
‘I think we’ve just got to remain positive.
‘The last game we played against them I thought we dominated, so if we just go over and try to implement our game plan again.
‘Obviously it’s disappointing with the draw and the loss at Hearts, but I’m sure with the quality we have in our side we’re going to bounce back strong.’
Insisting reports of a rift between manager Rodgers and the Celtic board have had no bearing on the dressing room, Hendry added: ‘I haven’t heard anything about it and I’m sure the lads aren’t taking any notice of it either. We’re fully focused at the end of the day on getting results, and that’s it.’
At least there was a boost for Celtic yesterday when Dembele joined the Celtic squad travelling to Athens yesterday, with Rodgers set to take a major gamble by unleashing the French striker against AEK.
Sidelined with a hamstring complaint since the home game with Alashkert four weeks ago, Dembele had previously been ruled out of both legs against the Greek champions.
Requiring a goal in Athens to stand any chance of progressing to the play-off round, though, Rodgers seems set to throw him in at some point in the hope they can yet reverse the damage done by drawing the first leg 1-1.