Celtic have been told they will have to smash the Slovakian record transfer fee if they are to sign David Strelec from Slovan Bratislava before tonight’s deadline.
Strelec previously played against Celtic on September 18th in a 5-1 Hoops win in the Champions League. However, in 8 Champions League appearances this season, he has scored two goals, with each coming at home against Dinamo Zagreb and away against Atletico Madrid.
The Slovakian forward has also impressed in the league for Slovan, with 10 goals and 2 assists in 18 games. At 23 years old, he is certainly a striker for years to come. However, the Slovakian champions are said to demand a record fee for Strelec.
Bratislava director general Ivan Kmotrík said to Sport: “If David leaves, it will definitely be a Slovak record. In the situation we are in today, however, I do not realistically see him leaving in the winter transfer window.
“Interest in Strelec is still growing, and offers are increasing. Big transfers are usually made in the summer period. I am convinced that the interest in him will be even greater in the summer.”
The previous highest Slovak transfer came back in 2001 when Szilárd Németh transferred from Inter Bratislava to Middlesbrough for €6.75 million. However, in recent years, Andraž Šporar joined Sporting Lisbon from Slovan Bratislava in January 2020 for a reported €6 million.
RecordSport report that Celtic will need to bid £8 million to sign Strelec before tonight’s deadline. However, the Hoops may look to sign a striker on loan, with Brendan Rodgers revealing at yesterday’s post-match press conference that a striker on loan would likely be the sort of move Celtic would look to do today.
