Jack Hendry could be about to reunite with his former Celtic teammate Dedryck Boyata at Club Brugge. But reports in Belgium claim Boyata's arrival is likely to spell the end for the Scot, who has been linked with a move back to the UK with Burnley.
Hendry has had an up-and-down time of it since joining Brugge from Oostende almost a year ago, having been in and out of the team while also enduring a fractious relationship with previous boss Philippe Clement. He appeared to have announced his arrival once and for all when he forced his way into the side and scored a crucial goal against Antwerp at the back end of last season, but he's started just one of their four league games this term - having been left out altogether for three of them.
It leaves Hendry at a crossroads with just days remaining in the transfer window, and it seems like he might have even more competition for places soon. Reports in Germany claim Boyata, out of favour at Hertha Berlin, is close to a move to Belgium, with Brugge willing to pay €2million (£1.7m) for his services. And while the German side want something closer to €3m (£2.55m), it's believed a deal is close.
It comes after Brugge sold Stanley Nsoki to Hoffenheim but any chance of Hendry stepping up to replace him appears dead in the water unless something dramatically changes. So far Clinton Mata, Abakar Sylla, Brandon Mechele and Owen Otasowie have all been preferred as options in the back three and HLN say Boyata's arrival "implies" Hendry's exit. They claim Burnley remain a live option, while Wolfsburg and Spanish side Valladolid are also named as interested parties.
Scotland defender Hendry was reportedly subject to an earlier bid from Burnley - whose manager Vincent Kompany knows him from his time as Anderlecht boss. That was rejected at the time but with Boyata's seemingly imminent arrival, the club may now be open to doing business.
READ NEXT
