Celtic will face competition from Parma and Rapid Vienna for Dunajska Streda striker Vakoun Issouf Bayo, according to reports in Scotland.
The Hoops have had a £1.75m offer rejected by the Slovakian outfit with the club demanding £2.7m for the player.
Both Parma and Rapid Vienna have also reportedly made offers that are higher than Celtic’s. Dunajska sporting director Jan van Dael has confirmed the interest in Bayo:
“It is true we have received an offer from Celtic for Issouf Bayo which has not been accepted.”
“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.”
Fans on Twitter want the Celtic board to stump up the cash for the 21-year-old:
If they really want him, then pay the fee and get it done. Identify who we need & get the deals done at the start of Jan so we hit the ground running after the break. Also get the deadwood out & free up wages
— Jim Lockhart (@jimbobnbh) 1 January 2019
Chances on Lawwell paying an extra £700,000
— Conor (@Conor_Spence67) 1 January 2019
It shouldn’t be a battle for us to beat Parma and Vienna to a signing
— Derek Martin (@Dm11111111) 1 January 2019
So parma it is for him then
— ScottishBull (@scottishbulll) 1 January 2019
Are we one of only a few clubs where transfer dealings are never straight forward.
— Gazzarinho (@gazzarinho1) 1 January 2019
Looks like he will sign for someone else then
— kilmurray (@kilmurraybhoy) 1 January 2019
Sure Lawwell will be happy to give his bonus up…?
— Ross King (@R055C089) 1 January 2019
That’s almost a million more than lawwell wants to pay. NEXT ?
— Jay (@jaycarslaw) 1 January 2019
Dno if this guy will be class or turn out to be another dud but it’s a bad sign if we get outspent by those two.
— Liam (@LiamPaterson_98) 1 January 2019
Manager Brendan Rodgers is in desperate need of another striker with Leigh Griffiths on an indefinite hiatus from football. The Scottish champions also didn’t replace Moussa Dembele in the summer leaving Odsonne Edouard as the club’s main striker.
Youngster Mikey Johnston has done well when called upon but the Hoops require reinforcements to the frontline. Bayo is an Ivorian international and has scored 18 goals in 23 games for Dunajska so far this campaign.