Celtic are anticipating a big money move for defender Dedryck Boyata with Fulham linked with a £9m offer for the Belgium World Cup player as the English transfer market enters into its final days of the window.

Boyata is heading into the final year of his contract at the club but has not yet agreed a contract extension with Celtic. 

The Parkhead side had made moves to try and finalise a deal for the player before he headed off the World Cup in Russia, however it is believed the player’s representatives wished for the exposure of the tournament before coming to a decision on the 27-year-old’s long-term future.

Brendan Rodgers had expressed his wish to keep the player at Celtic but if a significant deal is tabled and Boyata wishes to go, Celtic would be unlikely to stand in his way. Lyon had looked at Boyata earlier this summer while Lazio were also credited with an interest in the defender.

Fulham have been linked with the player already this summer and it is expected that Craven Cottage manager Slavisa Jovanovic will make a formal offer for the player before the Englsih Premier League window closes on Thursday evening at 5pm.

The newly promoted Premier League side have already signed centre-back Alfie Mawson while Arsenal defender Calum Chambers is poised for a season long loan deal at the London club.

Meanwhile, Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer is hoping that Boyata opts to stay in Glasgow after the Belgian mentored him last season.

The Norwegian youngster has risen to prominence at the club since the turn of the year and would like Boyata to pledge his future to Celtic.

Celtic play AEK Athens tomorrow night in the first leg of their third round UEFA Champions League at Celtic Park but Rodgers had already intimated after the weekend win over Livingston that the game would come too soon for Boyata.

The player was given an extended break after helping Belgium to a third placed finish at the World Cup but resumed training at Lennoxtown last week.

“Of course I would like to see him stay,” said Ajer. “He’s been fantastic at Celtic, which is a club that has a lot of fantastic players. I would like to keep playing beside him and keep learning from him.

“He’s been back for a few weeks now and he is a top professional who always keeps fit. He was obviously very happy with Belgium’s World Cup achievements. It was great for them and good to see.

“Dedryk and other experienced centre halves have helped my development a lot. He talks to me every single game we play together. We played a lot together last season and he was fantastic at communicating with me throughout the game. He’s been really helpful.

“It’s always important that you get players back and have a strong squad. I feel we have that now and we are training hard and feeling fit. There’s a good feeling about the whole squad.”