Fulham have tabled a £9m bid for Celtic defender Deydrick Boyata, according to the Times.

The Belgian defender, who spent six years with Manchester City, has been heavily linked with a move to Craven Cottage all summer. Fulham scouts watched Boyata closely during the World Cup, where he filled in impressively for the injured Vincent Kompany in the early stages of the tournament, and the club consider him as a potential addition to ease their worries in central defence.

The 27 year-old has failed to commit his long-term future to Celtic, despite overtures from Brendan Rodgers, after becoming a crucial part of the Hoops defence during his three seasons in Glasgow. Boyata, who made just twelve league starts for City, is believed to be attracted by the opportunity of another crack at the Premier League after making 92 appearances for the Scottish giants and winning three successive league titles.

Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic has identified central defence as an area of his squad where reinforcements are urgently necessary before the end of the transfer window on Thursday. The Londoners are expected to sign Calum Chambers on loan from Arsenal, with the England international due to have a medical at Motspur Park on Monday, but are keen to add further defensive depth before the start of the new season. It remains to be seen whether Celtic, who signed Boyata for just £1.5m back in 2014, would entertain Fulham’s offer for one of their key players.