RONNY DEILA has revealed Celtic are in talks with Manchester City central defender Dedryck Boyata.
The Parkhead boss wants the Belgian to be signed ahead of next season’s crack at the Champions League.
Hoops chief executive Peter Lawwell, Deila and assistant manager John Collins met the 24-year-old centre-back in a Manchester hotel on Thursday night.
Deila remained tight-lipped on the prospects of landing Boyata, who has a year left on his City deal, he has identified the player as the man to replace Jason Denayer when he returns to the Etihad Stadium in the summer.
The Celtic boss said: “We are talking with a lot of players now and are trying to strengthen our squad. Boyata is one of them.
“We will see if we can make it or not. I try to keep the conversation to myself until everything is done. You never know in football.
“What is positive is we are trying to get quality players to strengthen our team for next season.
“It can be hard, but we want to get our business done early. We want to start up in late June having added some players to the squad.”
Boyata, who has made six appearances for City this season, has one full international cap and has had loan deals at Bolton and Dutch side Twente Enschede.
He is highly rated, but City will allow him to go, either on loan for the remainder of his contract, or on a permanent deal.
