Celtic Eye £8m Slovak Striker David Strelec as Kyogo Replacement
The winter transfer window has brought a flurry of activity for Celtic, wiht the Scottish giants reportedly targeting Slovan Bratislava’s prolific striker, David Strelec. The 23-year-old Slovakian international has emerged as a key target for manager Brendan Rodgers, who is seeking to fill the void left by Kyogo Furuhashi’s departure to Stade Rennes.
According to the Daily Record, Celtic is prepared to pay £8 million (approximately €9.5 million) to secure Strelec’s services. The young forward has already made an impression on the Hoops, having faced them in the Champions League earlier this season, where Slovan suffered a 5-1 defeat at Celtic Park.
Strelec’s performances this season have been nothing short of notable. He has netted 10 goals in the Niké League, contributed to slovan’s Champions league qualifying campaign, and scored twice in the group stage, including a goal against Atlético Madrid. His versatility and goal-scoring prowess have made him a sought-after talent across Europe.
English Clubs in the Mix
While Celtic is leading the race, Strelec has also attracted interest from English clubs. FC Middlesbrough, a second-tier side, reportedly made an offer of around €6 million, which Slovan swiftly rejected. Ivan Kmotrík Jr., Slovan’s CEO, emphasized the club’s stance, stating, “The amount offered would have to be really radically high to consider its transfer. It must be an offer that cannot be refused. And we are very far from that.”
Kmotrík also highlighted the importance of retaining Strelec for their title defence, adding, “Our goal is to keep the cadre together and fulfill our goal.That means defending the title. If David would leave, it would be a noticeable weakening for us.”
A Potential Slovak Record Transfer
If Strelec does make the move, it could set a new record for a Slovak player. Slovan previously sold Andraž Šporar to Sporting Lisbon for €7 million, and Kmotrík believes Strelec’s transfer could surpass that figure. “If David leaves, it will certainly be a Slovak record,” he said.
However, Kmotrík remains skeptical about a winter transfer, suggesting that interest in the striker will likely intensify in the summer. “The interest in the shooter is still growing, the offers are growing. I am convinced that the interest will be even greater in the summer,” he noted.
Celtic’s Slovak Connection
celtic has a rich history of Slovak talent, with legends like Ľubomír Moravčík and Stanislav Varga having donned the famous green and white jersey.The club was also managed by Jozef Vengloš, one of Slovakia’s most celebrated coaches. Strelec’s potential arrival would continue this legacy, adding another chapter to Celtic’s storied relationship with Slovak football.
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|—————————|—————————————————————————–|
| player | David Strelec |
| Current Club | Slovan Bratislava |
| Potential Transfer Fee| £8 million (€9.5 million) |
| Celtic’s need | Replacement for Kyogo Furuhashi |
| Competition | Interest from FC Middlesbrough and other clubs |
| Slovak Record | Potential to surpass Andraž Šporar’s €7 million transfer to Sporting Lisbon|
As the transfer window draws to a close, all eyes are on Celtic to see if they can secure Strelec’s signature. Will the Hoops make an offer that Slovan cannot refuse? Only time will tell.
celtic Targets £8m Slovak Striker David Strelec Amid Kyogo Replacement Search
Table of Contents
The winter transfer window has sparked meaningful activity for Celtic, with the Scottish giants reportedly eyeing Slovan Bratislava’s prolific striker, David Strelec. the 23-year-old slovakian international has emerged as a key target for manager Brendan Rodgers, who is keen to fill the void left by Kyogo Furuhashi’s departure to Stade Rennes. With a potential £8 million fee on the table, Strelec’s versatility and goal-scoring prowess have made him a sought-after talent across Europe.
Why David Strelec?
Editor: Celtic seems to be making a strong push for David Strelec. What makes him such an appealing target for the club?
Guest: Strelec has had an outstanding season so far, netting 10 goals in the Niké League and making significant contributions in the Champions League, including scoring against Atlético madrid. His ability to perform on big stages, coupled with his versatility in attack, makes him an ideal candidate to step into Kyogo’s shoes. plus, his performance against Celtic in the Champions League earlier this season certainly caught their eye.
Competition from English Clubs
editor: It’s not just Celtic interested in Strelec. How significant is the competition from English clubs?
Guest: The interest from English clubs, particularly FC Middlesbrough, is notable. They reportedly offered around €6 million, which Slovan bratislava swiftly rejected. Their CEO, Ivan Kmotrík Jr., has made it clear that it would take a substantial offer—one that cannot be refused—to consider a transfer. This puts Celtic in a challenging position, as they’ll need to significantly up their bid to secure his signature.
A Potential Record Transfer for Slovakia
Editor: If Strelec dose move, it could set a new record for a Slovak player. Can you elaborate on this?
Guest: Absolutely. The current record stands at €7 million, set when Andraž Šporar moved to Sporting Lisbon. Strelec’s transfer fee is expected to surpass that figure, perhaps making it a historic moment for Slovak football.However, Kmotrík has hinted that a winter transfer might be unlikely, with interest expected to grow even more in the summer.
Celtic’s Slovak Legacy
Editor: celtic has a rich history with Slovak players and coaches.How does Strelec fit into this legacy?
Guest: Celtic’s connection with Slovak football is well-documented, with legends like Ľubomír Moravčík and Stanislav Varga having played for the club. Strelec’s potential arrival would continue this legacy, adding another chapter to Celtic’s storied relationship with Slovak talent. It’s a connection that resonates deeply with the club and its fans.
What’s Next for celtic and Strelec?
Editor: As the transfer window nears its close, what’s the likelihood of Celtic securing Strelec’s signature?
Guest: It’s a complex situation. While Celtic is leading the race,they’ll need to make an offer that Slovan cannot refuse. Given Kmotrík’s comments, it’s possible that Strelec could stay until the summer, when interest is expected to intensify. Celtic will need to act decisively if they want to bring him in now.
Conclusion
Celtic’s pursuit of David Strelec highlights their ambition to strengthen their squad following Kyogo Furuhashi’s departure.The Slovak striker’s impressive form and versatility make him a prime target, but competition from English clubs and Slovan Bratislava’s high valuation could complicate matters.Whether a deal materializes this winter or in the summer, one thing is clear: Strelec’s potential arrival would be a significant coup for Celtic, continuing their proud tradition of Slovak talent.
