Slovan Bratislava chief executive Ivan Kmotrík has admitted that long-term Celtic target David Strelec could be allowed to leave for less than the Hoops bid for him in January.
Celtic’s reported £7 million offer for the 24-year-old was knocked back during the winter transfer window, with Slovan holding out for a fee closer to £9 million. However, the Slovakian club’s stance may now soften as they prepare for summer business.
Kmotrík revealed that the club were not ready to sanction Strelec’s departure in January due to a lack of replacement options, but confirmed that interest in the forward remains strong.
“We took a risk with David. In the summer, maybe a slightly lower offer will come, it can happen,” Kmotrík said. “David didn’t leave in the winter because we weren’t ready for it. The offers were very good, but the really interesting ones came at the last minute.”
He continued: “Today, I can’t rule out whether he will stay or leave. There is still interest in him. Compared to the winter, he will only be a few months older, his position has not deteriorated significantly. Maybe the club will earn a little less, but he will be well prepared.” [RecordSport]
The player’s father, Strelec Sr., who also played for Slovan Bratislava, previously spoke of his enthusiasm at the thought of his son playing for Celtic. “When I heard about Celtic’s interest, I was thrilled. I would have loved to see him there,” he said.
Celtic will need to enter the market for a striker this summer, that’s a certainty. The club failed to replace Kyogo in the winter window, after he completes the move to Rennes.
Maeda has since moved to the central position and has been superb, but there is still a feeling that the club need another striker with doubts lingering over Adam Idah after he made the permanent move to Celtic in the summer.
Whether Celtic return with a revised offer remains to be seen, but Strelec’s situation could be one to watch as the summer window approaches.
good to hear Celtic are still in for strelec but will it be up to who leaves i like the player but we have another option in the young Norwegian who i believe we have been chasing for three years will see big window coming up and it might depend on Rodgers staying for another three years if your letting your manager spend £10,000,000 or £20,000,000 He must show the club his comiment to the club I’m sure he will after Celtic welcomed him back some supporters didn’t but they realised how good he is and players especially young want to better players know Rodgers can do that after Leicester failure Rodgers knows nit everything promised is true but he has got his reputation back he’s older and wiser and will be looking forward to the emergencies of RIFC not as our scottish media want us to believe the liquidated RFC if supposed billion £ take over we all know the biggest shareholders is just glad to get his money back most of sevco have given the club soft loans so they will be desperate to get out even it’s more like sellout will c