Dedryck Boyata has had an up and down summer.
First there was the World Cup and starting matches for Belgium in the group stage, as Vincent Kompany was out injured. The Celtic defender did well and it helped encourage transfer rumours around the player.
The Belgian media were convinced a big move was on the horizon, especially because Boyata only had a year left on his current contract.
But despite all the claims, he only ever really seemed to be second, third or fourth choice for clubs.
There were rumours around Europe, but it didn’t feel like a club was prepared to go to war to sign him, especially with cheaper options, when wages and fee are taken into account, more easily available elsewhere.
Boyata and his agent felt Celtic were scuppering a transfer and there was trouble, and it’s now explained in Belgium that the footballer may have done more damage than he realises.
Belgium’s Sporza has a look at several of the Belgium squad and their summer transfer situation, and some hard truths are thrown the way of Boyata.
Sporza’s Eddy Demarez explains: “Knowing the Scots, I fear that he has a big problem. Once you strike a blow to their heart, it’s always over, he has to play incredibly well to make up for it and they will never forget this in Glasgow. He still has to prove that he can come close to the level of a Kompany or an Alderweireld, but he has not been smart anyway.”
Unless Boyata renews, it could be a difficult few months at Celtic.
