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Newcastle should enter bidding war with Fulham for Celtic’s Boyata

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Image for Newcastle should enter bidding war with Fulham for Celtic’s Boyata

OPINION

Newcastle United’s search for a new centre back has accelerated greatly since defender Florian Lejeune suffered an injury that will keep him out for some time.

Rafael Benitez is looking for more additions before the transfer window shuts on Thursday, with a centre-back thought to be a priority for the Magpies manager.

The club were linked with Toulouse stalwart Christopher Jullien on Tuesday, although Benitez is said to have moved on to alternative targets now.

One of the transfer targets the club should be looking at is currently located just north of the border, plying his trade for Scottish champions Celtic.

Centre back Dedryck Boyata is definitely worth a look for Newcastle, with the transfer deadline fast approaching. Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers confirmed on Tuesday that the club had rejected a bid from Fulham for the Belgian’s services, and it’s imperative that the Magpies enter the fray.

The 27-year-old is an underrated player who could serve as an important addition on Tyneside. He performed admirably in relief of Vincent Kompany in the World Cup group stages, and would be an affordable option to fill the Lejeune-shaped hole at St James’s Park.

Boyata has thrived under Rodgers’ leadership at Celtic Park, forming a key part of the Bhoys’ all-conquering team of recent years. He is currently in the final year of his contract, and would surely relish a return to the Premier League.

The former Manchester City man, an imposing 6ft 1in, has both the physicality and technical ability to thrive in the English top flight. His form for Belgium at the World Cup showed that when he is paired with top players he flourishes, and he could potentially form a formidable partnership with Jamaal Lascelles at the heart of the Newcastle defence.

This one is a little off the grid, as there’s no suggestion that Newcastle are interested in the player. But the club have a need at centre-back, and Boyata would fulfil that need perfectly. He’s a talented player who is only now entering his prime, with his best years potentially coming at St James’s Park if the club act quickly.

Former striker John Hartson said Celtic must hold onto him after the reported £9million offer and claimed Boyata would be worth £29million in the future – they’re the sort of numbers Mike Ashley loves to hear.

Rodgers would understandably be loath to lose the Belgium international, but this is the last chance Celtic will get to make money on Boyata. Once the January transfer window opens, the 27-year-old can sign a pre contract agreement with any foreign club he wants.

Newcastle have a real chance to address their defensive issues by signing an experienced, talented centre back, here. They shouldn’t pass that opportunity up.

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