Celtic linked to Manchester City’s Dedryck Boyata

Manchester City defender Dedryck Boyata. Picture: MCFC

Boyata will likely be replaced by fellow Belgian Jason Denayer as he returns from loan to Celtic.

The Belgian centre back, 24, has said he will leave Eastlands at the end of the season despite still having a year left on his contract. Boyata has struggled to get a start in City’s first team with stiff competition from the likes of team mates Vincent Kompany, Martin Demichelis and Eliaquim Mangala.

Speculation that Celtic boss Ronny Deila will snap up the young player is rife given his close ties with the Manchester club.

Denayer and John Guidetti were both farmed out to Parkhead from the Blues, while Deila also made signings from the Manchester City youth squad while he was in charge of Norwegian side Stromsgodset.

Denayer’s impending return to Manchester leaves Deila with hole in the back line which will need to be filled before the new season,

Since arriving from Brussels in 2006, Boyata has played just 28 games for Manchester City, while also having stints at Bolton Wanderers and FC Twente.

He remains the only member of Manchester City’s 2008 FA Youth Cup-winning squad at the club.

In an interview with the Manchester Evening News, Boyata said: “I am playing in a big team, but for myself it’s not good enough.

“People here have seen what I can do, but I am not getting the chance every weekend, so I see myself going somewhere that I can play.”