Celtic fans were left frustrated after the January transfer window closed without the arrival of a new striker to replace Kyogo Furuhashi, who departed for Rennes. While Adam Idah has stepped up admirably, and Daizen Maeda has proven to be a goal-scoring force, many still question why the Hoops didn’t secure a more established forward.
Now, thanks to Milan Strelec, father of Slovakian striker David Strelec, we’re learning exactly what went wrong with Celtic’s attempt to sign the highly-rated Slovan Bratislava forward.
Celtic’s €9.5m Offer Wasn’t Enough—But Why?
Strelec was heavily linked with a move to Parkhead, and at one stage, it looked like the deal was on the verge of being completed. According to reports, Celtic even submitted a bid of €9.5 million (£7.9m) to sign the 23-year-old attacker.
However, Slovan Bratislava ultimately rejected the offer—despite the substantial fee. Speaking to Daily Record, Milan Strelec shed light on why the move didn’t happen:
“You know, when I heard about Celtic’s interest, I was thrilled. I was there at Slovan’s first match in the Champions League—whole families were sitting there, old and young, amazing atmosphere. I would have loved to see him there.”
“He has made great progress since the Euro, he is doing well, he is scoring goals. But the decision about his transfer was made higher up. Celtic’s bid of €9.5m? That didn’t help either. Unfortunately, that’s how it is.”
“None of us knows the exact details of the contract or how the installments or bonuses were set. Maybe Slovan wanted to get it all at once, and that’s why the club decided against it. It’s probably pointless to get into it.”
Essentially, it appears that while Celtic’s offer was strong, Slovan Bratislava might have demanded the full payment upfront rather than structured installments or performance-based add-ons.
Strelec’s Recent Goal Celebration—or Lack Thereof—Sparks Speculation
Adding an interesting twist to this saga, Strelec refused to celebrate after scoring in a recent match. While he hasn’t publicly commented on the Celtic situation, many speculate that he may still be disappointed that the transfer didn’t go through.
His reaction has only fueled speculation that the door is not fully closed on a move to Parkhead in the future.
Did Celtic Make a Mistake by Not Securing a Striker?
In the immediate aftermath of the January transfer window, Celtic’s failure to sign a forward drew widespread criticism. Kyogo’s exit left a massive void in the squad, and with Idah being relatively untested at this level, fans were understandably concerned.
However, Idah has performed decently in his new role, and Maeda has been Celtic’s most consistent goal-scorer in recent weeks. While the situation isn’t ideal, the Hoops have managed to stay competitive.
Will Celtic Return for Strelec in the Summer?
With Strelec continuing to impress for Slovan Bratislava, the logical assumption is that Celtic could revisit the deal in the summer—provided the financial terms can be agreed upon.
If he keeps finding the back of the net, interest from other European clubs could also drive up his price, making it more difficult for Celtic to secure his signature.
For now, fans will be hoping the Idah-Maeda combination can keep delivering the goals needed to push Celtic toward domestic success—but a new No. 9 remains a priority for the upcoming transfer window.