Middlesbrough re-ignite transfer interest for 25-goal striker – £9m bid was turned down in January

Middlesbrough are set to compete with Celtic for the possible signing of Dávid Strelec from Slovan Bratislava.

 

According to Slovakian source Sport, the Championship side is still interested in signing the 24-year-old as the summer window nears its end.

Boro are looking to improve their attacking options as they prepare to compete for promotion to the Premier League under Rob Edwards.

Strelec turned down a move to British football in January, but he might now complete the switch before the September 1 deadline.

Middlesbrough reignite Dávid Strelec interest after January transfer snub

Middlesbrough have received encouragement in their pursuit of Strelec, with his father confirming that his departure from Champions League qualification has led him to reconsider his future with the Slovakian club.

He has suggested that a change may be coming this summer, listing Boro and Celtic as two clubs interested in the 24-year-old.

“The situation was different while Slovan Bratislava was still playing in the Champions League,” the forward’s father told Sport.

“They preferred to keep him. Now things could be different.

“As far as I know, numerous clubs remain interested, including Celtic and Middlesbrough.

“We know that both clubs have made offers in the past.”

Middlesbrough reportedly made a £9 million offer in January, which was also matched by Scottish powers Celtic, but Slovakian giants Slovan Bratislava refused to sell the attacker, who went on to score 25 goals in all competitions during 2024-25.

Middlesbrough has signed five players this summer, including Sverre Nypan on loan from Manchester City, and there may be enough in the budget for more.

Edwards has also managed the arrivals of Sontje Hansen, Abdoulaye Kanté, Alfie Jones, and Callum Brittain, with more expected in the remaining two weeks of the transfer window.

David Strelec signing has potential to be a game-changer for Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough have Tommy Conway and Marcus Forss to select from as line leaders, so bringing in more firepower before the deadline makes sense, especially since the latter hasn’t been blazing recently for the Teessiders.

Conway is an exciting prospect, but Forss has yet to demonstrate that he can be a consistent attacking danger in the last third at this level.

Bringing in Strelec would be an interesting option considering his experience playing in European football with Slovan Bratislava; any striker who scores 25 goals in a season must have something special about them.

If Boro can finalize a deal this summer, it may be just what the squad needs to press on and boost their pursuit for promotion to the Premier League – they started well in 2025-26, but Boro needs more to be competitive throughout a 46-game season.