Ranieri can save Fulham from relegation if he manages to land this Celtic star in January

Why Fulham should reignite their interest in Dedryck Boyata

According to a report from the BBC, Celtic rejected a bid from Fulham for star defender Dedryck Boyata in the summer transfer window.

The Belgian defender later tried hard to force through an exit in the summer window but clearly, it did not materialise and he had to stay put at Celtic Park. Having fallen out of the squad due to his transfer standoff, Dedryck Boyata has worked his way back into the team and has once again established himself as a regular starter at the back for Celtic.

Dedryck Boyata, 27, however, is out of contract at Parkhead at the end of the season and Brendan Rodgers might be tempted to cash in on him in the January transfer window. As the Belgium international could be available for a reduced fee in the New Year, should Fulham reignite their interest in the defender?

Fulham sacked Slavisa Jokanovic earlier this month due to a run of poor results and have replaced him with Claudio Ranieri. Despite securing promotion to the top-flight in an emphatic manner under Slavisa Jokanovic last term, Fulham have struggled to make an impression this season.

The Cottagers spent heavily in the summer and made some exciting signings by completing deals for Aleksandar Mitrovic, Andre Schurrle, Jean Michael Seri, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Maxime Le Marchand. However, the team has just failed to gel well together and are currently at the bottom of the table, leaving Fulham owner Shahid Khan with no other option but to dismiss Jokanovic.

Now Claudio Ranieri has a massive task on his hands and he needs to start getting the best out of the players at his disposal. Fulham have the worst defence in the Premier League this term, which clearly tells Ranieri as to where the club’s problems are. The Cottagers are in desperate need of a leader at the back, and in Dedryck Boyata, they will have a player capable of marshalling the troops.

Boyata has plenty of experience and was integral to the Bhoys’ consecutive domestic treble triumphs. He was also a part of the Belgium squad that finished third in the summer’s FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Solid in the air and hard in the tackle, the Belgian could add some much-needed solidity at the back for Fulham. He is an aggressive, powerful, no-nonsense and an aerially dominant defender who could take the team out of the rut.

Boyata can remain calm under pressure, which helps him make some timely interceptions during matches. The 27-year-old has mastered the art of tackling and could be a fantastic addition to Fulham’s backline which has been all over the place.

Read more: 3 Top-class players Ranieri can target in January to save Fulham from relegation including Chelsea outcast

None of the Fulham defenders have been able to put in a run of consistent displays at the back this season, which only highlights the fact that Ranieri should spend on a centre-half. And the Italian manager would do a brilliant job if he manages to land Boyata in January, as the Belgian could do wonders for the Cottagers.