Celtic find out how much David Strelec could cost after Slovan Bratislava CEO boots out Middlesbrough bid

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Celtic are still looking to add their second player of the January transfer window.

David Strelec is a player who has interested Celtic as Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers looks to bolster his forward line after losing Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes.

Jota joined Celtic on the same day as Kyogo’s exit took place and the Portuguese winger has already made an instant impact after scoring on his debut in the Bhoys’ win at Motherwell at the weekend.

But with the hours ticking by, Celtic are seemingly still no closer to making that elusive second signing as the microscope starts to hone in on the Bhoys’ transfer business.

However, as attention on 23-year-old Strelec mounts, Slovan Bratislava CEO, Ivan Kmotrík Junior, has warned that his club will not be rushed into selling a player who, if he left, would weaken his side.

• READ MORE: Celtic have less than 10 hours to spend £2.1m and sign ‘world-class’ Premier League player on deadline day

Slovan Bratislava knock back Middlesbrough offer for Celtic target Strelec

Middlesbrough has had a €5m (£4.15m) booted out as Kmotrik Jr tells the English Championship club that it would take a ‘radically high’ offer to consider allowing Strelec to leave.

Kmotic Jr told Sportnet, “Our goal is to keep the squad together and fulfil our objective. That means to defend the title. If Dávid were to leave, it would be a noticeable weakening for us.

“The amount offered would have to be radically high for us to consider his transfer. It has to be an offer that can’t be refused. And we are very far from that.”

Celtic need to deliver a ‘record’ bid for David Strelec

According to Teesside Live, the Slovakian transfer record was £5m when Bratislava sold Andre Spror to Sporting Lisbon in 2022.

And it seems that a bid north of that figure would be required from Celtic if they are serious about taking Strelec to Celtic Park.

“If Dávid leaves,” Kmotrik Jr continues, “it will definitely be a Slovak record. However, in the situation we are in today, I don’t see it realistic that he would leave in the winter transfer period.

“The interest in Strelec is growing, the offers are coming in. And big transfers are always usually made in the summer.

“I am convinced that there will be even more interest in him in the summer.”

So it seems that the Bratislava CEO is looking to hold onto his best player unless Rodgers can convince the Parkhead powerbrokers to splash the cash to nab the 23-year-old Champions League striker.