Celtic are reported to be about to make a second bid for Andraz Sporar.
Neil Lennon has so far only confirmed an interest in the Slovan Bratislava striker but according to Pilkarskiswiat an initial bid of 5.5m Euros has been rejected.
Slovan chief Ivan Kmotrik has taken a high profile over transfer speculation over the last month as he attempts to bring in a club record transfer fee.
Pilkarskiswiat.com reports:
The Celts’ first bid was EUR 5.5 million. The club from Celtic Park, seeing how big the interest is, will attack the second time. The club’s general manager from Bratislava, Ivan Kmotrík, makes it clear.
“No, this amount is unacceptable to us. I think its price is much higher. I can’t imagine selling Andraž for less than 7-8 million euros. If we accepted one of the offers in the summer, it would certainly be the largest transfer from the Slovak league in history. Now foreign clubs are sending us even more lucrative offers.
“We will proceed to talks when the offer is in accordance with the current instruction Andraž Šporar, and his value has increased even more in recent months. He scored 20 goals this season in all competitions and scored 6 assists.
“This applies not only to goals, but also to the ability to keep the ball in front and win individual matches. He ended the group stage of the Europa League with five hits and proved that he is a player who meets European parameters.
If we agree to the winter transfer, it will definitely be the largest transfer from Slovakia – a statement by a Slovak businessman for the official website of the ŠK Slovan Bratislava football club.
Official Slovan video uploaded on December 24
With the prospect of a massive wage rise on offer it seems highly unlikely that Sporar will complete the season at Slovan with a high profile game of poker going on to get the best deal for all parties.
Back in April Lennon identified bringing in a striker as a priority signing but was effectively left with Odsonne Edouard as his only front-man in the first half of the season.
Celtic are back in action against Partick Thistle in 15 days time, in an ideal world there will be new signings at the training camp in Dubai ahead of making their debut at Firhill.