Celtic could bid for Slovan Bratislava striker David Strelec | OneFootball

Celtic are interested in signing David Strelec in the January transfer window.

That is according to a report in The Daily Record which has claimed that Celtic are considering a bid for the Slovan Bratislava striker late in the window.

The 23-year-old striker has scored 15 goals and provided six assists in 35 matches in all competitions so far this season, including UEFA Champions League qualifiers (Transfermarket).

Celtic are on the hunt for a replacement for Japan international forward Kyogo Furuhashi, who joined Rennes earlier this month.

The Daily Record has claimed that Middlesbrough have had a bid for Strelec already turned down, with the striker being valued at £8 million.

Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden is also on Celtic’s radar, but the Scottish Premiership giants, who have been linked with Sarpsborg winger Sondre Ørjasæter as well, are unwilling to pay the asking price of £10 million plus add-ons.

View: David Strelec could be a good signing for Celtic

Strelec is a very good and promising young striker who has experience playing in the UEFA Champions League.

True, the Slovak First Football League is not among the elite domestic leagues in Europe, but it is still a very good and competitive league.

Celtic cannot afford to sign top players from top divisions. The Scottish Premiership club need to look for bargain signings.

Strelec has progressed over the years. Last season, the Slovakia international striker scored 15 goals and gave 12 assists in 44 matches in all competitions.

While £8 million for a 23-year-old playing in Slovakia does seem like a lot of money, Celtic will have to pay that if they want to sign a new striker so late in the January transfer window.

Celtic are at the top of the Scottish Premiership table at the moment with 60 points from 23 matches, 10 points clear of second-placed and bitter rivals Rangers, who have played 24 games.