Transfer Latest – Price cut means David Strelec could get dream Celtic move

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The Celtic Star

·23 April 2025

Transfer Latest – Price cut means David Strelec could get dream Celtic move

Celtic could be presented with an opportunity this summer to sign a January target for less than the bid they appear to have had rejected just a few months ago…

Leroy Sane of Bayern Munich runs with the ball from David Strelec of SK Slovan Bratislava during the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and SK Slovan Bratislava at Football Arena Munich on January 29, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Celtic’s £7m January bid was rejected

Celtic reportedly had a £7m bid for Slovan Bratislava’s David Strelec knocked back as the club looked for a Kyogo replacement with the Japanese striker getting his desired move to a top five league to join French side Rennes in a £10m move.

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David Strelec was unhappy at being denied his big move to Celtic by Slovan Bratislava and made his feeling known by refusing to celebrate a goal in the first game after the window closed.

Change of mind in Slovan Bratislava boardroom

Now though it appears that Celtic’s first Champions League opponents this season are better prepared to allow their star man to move and may even accept a lower offer, which will of course be music to the ears of those in the Celtic Boardroom!

Peter Lawwell, Chairman of Celtic, Dermot Desmond, Non-Executive Director of Celtic, and Michael Nicholson, CEO of Celtic, are seen in attendance prior to the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“We took a risk with David. In the summer, maybe a slightly lower offer will come, it can happen. But 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,” Ivan Kmotrík, the Slovan Bratislava CEO said, via a report in Daily Record.

Kyogo Furuhashi of Stade Rennais during the Ligue 1 match between Stade Rennais and RC Strasbourg on February 02, 2025 at Roazhon Park in Rennes, France. Photo by Manuel Blondeau AOP

Slovan wanted around £9m but now open to offers lower that the rejected Celtic bid

Kmotrík rejected the late Celtic bid in the January window, believed to be for £7m as he was holding out for a fee of £9m, probably gambling on Celtic’s need to bring a Kyogo replacement quickly. Celtic did not return to the negotiating table at that stage, instead Brendan Rodgers had an alternative plan up his sleeve, to play Daizen Maeda down the middle and that seems to have turned out just fine.

Daizen Maeda of Celtic is seen during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Quarter-Final match between Celtic and Hibernian at Celtic Park on March 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“We didn’t have a transfer target to sign for the club that was ready”

Kmotrík explained what happened. “We didn’t have a transfer target to sign for the club that was ready, it would have been a patchwork move. 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 and will bring adequate compensation to the club.”

The 24 year-old Slovakia international forward was left frustrated at missing out on a dream move to Celtic, after having the opportunity to experience Paradise in all it’s glory on a Champions League match at the start of the campaign.

Celtic may be tempted to return with a slightly lower bid

Celtic may be tempted to return with a slightly lower bid, with the Slovan Bratislava CEO’s comments perhaps suggesting that he has scared Celtic away. £5m tops would be the next Celtic move in the days of Peter Lawwell running the show!

F.C. Copenhagen Vs Brøndby IF in Copenhagen, Denmark – 13 April 2025 Mathias Kvistgaarden (36) of Brøndby IF celebrates after scoring their first goal during the Danish 3F Superliga match between F.C. Copenhagen and Brøndby IF at Parken Stadium. Final score: F.C. Copenhagen 1 – 2 Brøndby IF Because of incidents at previous matches between F.C. Copenhagen and Brøndby IF, no away fans are permitted at the match. Copenhagen Denmark Photo: Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg

It all depends on what Brendan thinks and what other options he has available including long-term Celtic target Mathias Kvistgaarden. Just an Ordinary Bhoy was also talking about a rumour linking Celtic with a move for former Celt Odsonne Edouard this morning.

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