Leicester City opinion: Should the Foxes win the race for Dedryck Boyata?

Calciomercato has reported that Leicester City are still in the race for Celtic star Dedryck Boyata, along with Hertha Berlin. The 28-year-old centre-back is out of contract at the end of the season and is looking to move on once it expires.

While caretaker boss Neil Lennon is hopeful that he can keep the Belgian at the club, at the moment, it looks unlikely (BBC). The 28-year-old has been a key player in Celtic’s dominance of the first phase of the Scottish Premiership this season and his performances have been impeccable.

Even after the contract saga started, Boyata continued playing well for the club despite looking to move on. No move materialised in January but that should change in the summer.

The likes of Hertha Berlin, Olympiakos and now Leicester City are interested in a move for the experienced Belgian defender.

However, given Brendan Rodgers’ connection and the Foxes’ need for a new center-back, it should be Leicester City who should win the race.

At the moment, Rodgers has Jonny Evans, Wes Morgan, Harry Maguire and Caglar Soyuncu at his disposal.

However, both Morgan and Evans are past the age of thirty and declining and on the other hand, Soyuncu has struggled. The 22-year-old arrived amidst a lot of expectations after his performances with Freiburg but has struggled to replicate that form.

But despite that, it looks like the former Liverpool boss is willing to give the Turkish center-back a chance to improve. That isn’t to say that the Foxes can’t use someone as talented as Dedryck Boyata, because they do need defensive reinforcements.

Moreover, the fact that the Belgian will come for free, simply adds to the move and it makes him a player worth chasing. A cool and calm defender, Boyata has flourished in the much more physical Premiership, which makes the transition easier.

While the Premier League does posse a more high-octane style of football, the 28-year-old has already shown his ability to adapt after arriving from Manchester City. It makes a transition that much easier for Leicester City, showing why they should consider a move.

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Conclusion

Someone like Dedryck Boyata will only help solidify Leicester City’s defence next season and that is something the Foxes really need to do.

Wes Morgan, despite everything he has done for the club, is coming to the end of his career in blue and that is something they need to prepare for. While Boyata won’t be a direct replacement, he’ll help them in the transition.