Middlesbrough FC handed boost in potential pursuit of 24-goal striker | OneFootball

Slovan Bratislava's CEO have given Middlesbrough a boost in the Smoggies' pursuit of Slovakia international striker David Strelec.

As they head into the summer with a bit of uncertainty, Middlesbrough have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Slovakia international striker David Strelec.

Football League World recently exclusively revealed that ‘Boro manager Michael Carrick was facing the sack at the club after the Smoggies had once again missed out on the top six and the play-off places in the Championship.

The Teessiders, regardless of who does end up in the dugout on the opening day of the campaign, will be keen, as anyone would, to do their business as swiftly as possible this summer, as they did last year.

For example, Delano Burgzorg and Aidan Morris had arrived at the Riverside before the end of June for undisclosed fees from Mainz and Columbus Crew respectively, last summer.

Now it appears that they have been given some encouragement to do another piece of business from abroad with a potential opening for previous target Strelec.

Slovan Bratislava, David Strelec asking price set for reduction amid Middlesbrough FC interest

According to Slovan Bratislava’s CEO Ivan Kmotrik, it could well be that Strelec moves for a lower asking price this summer than what had been bid for him in the January transfer window:

“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 offer were very good, but the really interesting ones came at the last minute.”

As reported by TeessideLive, that most interesting offer is believed to have come from Middlesbrough so Kmotrik’s admission of a potentially lower fee for Strelec is a boost for ‘Boro.

Kmotrik also went on to say: “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 lees, but he will be well prepared and will bring in adequate compensation to the club.”

It is also believed that Scottish giants Celtic held an interest in the Slovakia international at the start of the year and so the Bhoys could once again rival ‘Boro for him this summer.

Middlesbrough FC's frustrating season

Even without the arrival of Strelec, Middlesbrough still brought in six new signings during the winter transfer window with George Edmundson’s loan deal being made permanent from Ipswich Town as well as the purchase of Morgan Whittaker from Plymouth Argyle.

Former loanee Ryan Giles returned to the Riverside once again on loan, this time from Hull City, whilst Ireland goalkeeper Mark Travers signed on a temporary basis from AFC Bournemouth.

On the final day of the window, they brought in former Juventus and Bologna winger Samuel Iling-Junior on loan from Aston Villa as well as former Manchester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho on loan from Sevilla.

Having finished fourth in Michael Carrick’s first season, a season in which he took over mid-way through, ‘Boro then finished eighth in the 2023/24 campaign before ending up in tenth place this season.

They had the chance to reach the play-off places up until the final day of the season but a 2-0 defeat away to Coventry City in their 46th match meant they had succumbed to a mid-table finish due to just one win in their final six games.