Middlesbrough target David Strelec has broken his silence on discussions he had with clubs in January over a potential transfer, while admitting that he will be open to a move this summer.
Boro held conversations with the striker and his club Slovan Bratislava in the January transfer window as they sought a replacement for star man Emmanuel Latte Lath. Celtic were also interested and had a £7million offer turned down for the 27-year-old.
For Boro, they ultimately opted to sign Kelechi Iheanacho on loan from Sevilla instead – with the Nigerian’s experience in English football, which included winning the Championship title the season before, a major factor in their decision. But with Iheanacho’s loan move ultimately failing to deliver, Boro will be back in the market for a striker this summer.
At this stage it’s unknown if Strelec will remain a target. They would likely face tough competition after the striker continued his fine form after January. With two games remaining, and having scored a hat-trick on Saturday to help Bratislava claim the Slovakian league title, he has 22 goals in all competitions, including a Champions League goal against Atletico Madrid.
Looking back at January and also ahead to the future, Strelec told the Slovakian media: “I would be lying if I said January was a completely easy period. There were a lot of discussions. It was hectic, but it’s over. I had to shake myself off and adjust to what awaited me for the rest of the season.
“Once the transfer window closed, I had to try my best to help Slovan win the title. There have been many versions written about what happened, but that’s the truth. But I certainly have no objection to staying at Slovan after the summer. I am happy here.
“We have an excellent team and if the management strengthens and renews it properly, as they plan, we can go far in Europe again. So my future depends on mutual communication with the club and whether I come to an agreement with any other teams.”
If Boro do decide to try and sign Strelec again this summer they will likely face competition. Boro were encouraged in their interest back in January, with Strelec said to be keen on the move. Celtic are likely to renew their interest and could offer Champions League football. But it wouldn’t be the first time Boro pipped Celtic to a signing in recent years, having convinced Riley McGree to join them ahead of the Scottish giants in January 2022.
A move this summer would represent a second attempt for the striker to make it outside of his native Slovakia. At the age of 20 he made a move to Italy, joining Serie A side \u0009Spezia. However, in a four-year stay on the Italian club’s books he managed only 20 appearances and four goals, with the latter half of his time at the club spent out on loan before his return to Bratislava permanently last summer.
On why he believes it will be a different story when he leaves this time, and with comments that offer further encouragement for Boro, Strelec insisted: “I lacked individual quality in Italy. I admit I found it really hard communicating too. If I had offers from two equally good clubs, one from the English Premier League and the other Serie A, it wouldn’t be a difficult decision. Definitely England.
“It’s been four years since I left here to go to Italy. Now I have more experience. I’ve perhaps improved in some ways. When I leave, it will be a different David Strelec. It will be important what style of team I go to and how the manager perceives me. I don’t have a preferred country, or team. It will be important that I go where I will play, where I will be satisfied.”
