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Football

13th Aug 2018

Celtic could be set to lose key defender as Sevilla close in on £10m deal

The Belgium international has improved immeasurably under Brendan Rodgers but could be on his way with a La Liga side interested in signing him

Reuben Pinder

He has improved a lot under Brendan Rodgers.

Celtic are bracing themselves for the loss of Dedryck Boyata as Sevilla appear increasingly likely to sign the centre-back. Sevilla have expressed interest in signing the Belgium international this summer and believe they won’t have to pay the £10m fee that Celtic are demanding, according to AS.

Boyata’s contract with Celtic only has one year remaining, which Sevilla are hoping will help reduce the price of the player, who is reportedly keen to leave the Glasgow club for Sevilla.

Boyata would be the third centre-back to join Sevilla this summer, after Sergi Gomez and Joris Gnagnon joined the La Liga club.

Losing Boyata would be a significant blow to the Celtic after his significant improvement under Brendan Rodgers at Parkhead. His upturn in form earned him a World Cup call-up for Belgium and he played against England in a group stage fixture in the absence of Vincent Kompany.

The Scottish champions would be back in the market for a centre-back if the move goes through, having lost a key player. A sum of around £10m can go very far in the Scottish market, and they shouldn’t have any trouble convincing players north of the border to join.

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