Celtic have had a bid for striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo rejected by Dunajska Streda, it has been confirmed.
The Daily Record reports that the Bhoys have offered £17.5million for the 21-year-old forward, however the Slovakian club want £2.7million for their goal machine, who has scored 18 goals in 23 appearances across all competitions this season.
Dunajska Streda’s sporting director Jan Van Daele has revealed that the Hoops have indeed table a bid for Bayo, but it has fallen short of their expectations.
“I can’t confirm the numbers but it is true we have received an offer from Celtic for Vakoun Issouf Bayo which has not been accepted,” Van Daele told the Daily Record.
“Negotiations are at a very early stage and we would like to start negotiating more details about the possible transfer. There have also been other offers from European clubs and enquiries.
“He still has two-and-a-half years on his contract but if such a club with the standing of Celtic wants one of our players then it would be difficult to stop it.”
OPINION
Celtic surely need to be aiming higher than Bayo. They lost Moussa Dembele in the summer for almost £20million, yet they are messing about with bids below £2million for a player that is playing in one of Europe’s weakest top-flight leagues. Bayo could be a decent prospect and he could develop into a fine striker for the Hoops, if they sign him. However for the size and stature of Celtic, they need to be aiming higher than this otherwise they will never be able to improve. Celtic just seem to be happy to keep signing unheard of players and hoping that one day they will make a good profit for them. It has worked in the past but surely this is the time to really upgrade the first team with the money from Dembele’s sale and really show Rangers why they are wrong to even dream that they are in a title race. Bayo is scoring goals in a league that is nowhere near as good as the Scottish Premiership. Celtic should avoid him.