Celtic could see David Strelec asking price budge as Michel Ange Balikwisha drops transfer hint
The champions were reportedly unwilling to meet Slovan Bratislava's big asking price for the striker in January
Celtic have been handed encouragement in their pursuit of David Strelec, with one Slovan Bratislava chief admitting the frontman could be available for a reduced transfer fee in the summer.
Back in January, Record Sport revealed the Hoops ' interest in the Slovakia international - who they had faced in the revamped Champions League - as part of their search for a direct replacement for Kyogo after he jumped ship to Rennes in Ligue 1 for £10million.
However, Brendan Rodgers ' side reportedly saw a £7million bid knocked back for Strelec - who was also believed to be a target for Middlesbrough - with the Slovak club holding out for £.9.5million.
That failure to bring in another attacker saw Daizen Maeda handed more starting berths through the middle, with the Japan star repaying that faith by netting a barrel load of goals to scoop up the PFA Scotland Players' Player of the Year.
But speaking to Teeside Live, Bratislava CEO Ivan Kmotrik concedes that they may have to lower their asking price for Strelec when the transfer window reopens next month.
He said: "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 (believed to have been from Middlesbrough and Celtic).
"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."
Royal Antwerp attacker Michel-Ange Balikwisha is another player who has heavily been linked with a move to Celtic in the last 12 months.
And a stunt from the 23-year-old on social media has got Parkhead punters believing that there may be some truth to the talk.
Balikwisha took to Instagram to share photos from Royal Antwerp's 3-0 hammering of Gent that secured a fifth place finish in Belgium's top tier.
One Celtic fan account on then left a message under the post, commenting with a clover emoji followed by a double eye emoji.
And the player then sent supporters on X into a frenzy by liking the comment, doing the same with another message under his post which read: "He liked it, Celtic" followed by a soon emoji.
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