Celtic had launched a bid of £1.75m bid for Vakoun Issouf Bayo, the 21-year-old striker. The Ivorian currently plies his trade in Slovakia for Dunajska Streda. However, latest reports from the Daily Record conveys that their manager Peter Hyballa has turned down the bid and is willing to fight to keep a hold of his star man.
It is believed that the Slovakian outfit are set to demand at least one million more than the initial offer and they have set the price at £2.7m for the young forward.
Dunajska Streda’s sporting director though has conceded that he would find it hard to keep hold of the striker beyond the winter transfer period. It is believed that Parma and Rapid Vienna have already put in a better offer for Bayo and Celtic might have to step up their efforts if they are keen to land the African forward.
Bayo has been in tremendous goalscoring form this season as he has managed 18 goals and seven assists in 23 games so far and has kept his side in the title race with Slovan Bratislava. The forward joined the Slovakian outfit in March last year but his form has now attracted interest for him from various quarters.
Celtic are in desperate need of a striker and Rodgers had earlier claimed (Sky Sports) that they might look to sign two forwards this month. They are closing in (The Express) on a loan deal with Timothy Weah, and maybe they are looking at Bayo as a long-term option.
The Hoops have a tradition of finding hidden gems, and a name like Bayo might not excite the fans at first as not much is known about him. But he can be a decent acquisition for Rodgers and Co. The 21-year-old is an Ivory Coast international at the u-23 level, and his record at the youth level has been eye-catching. The forward even did well in the Europa League qualifiers for the Slovakian outfit as he managed three goals in four games, so he has proven himself against tougher opponents as well.
The exciting forward is likely to be a second choice striker to Odsonne Edouard, and it remains to be seen whether Rodgers would come up with an improved offer for him in the next few days. With Italian top flight club Parma in the mix, the forward might edge towards joining them, and reports do mention that they have made a better offer than Celtic at the moment. If Celtic are serious in getting the deal done, then they need to push hard to lure the youngster to Park Head.
