Shake and Vak if deal to be done
CELTIC have a fight on their hands if they are to lure Vakoun Issouf Bayo to Parkhead this month.
The Hoops have had a £1.75 million offer rejected for the 21-year-old Dunajska Streda star and his club have slapped a £2.7 million price tag on his head.
Brendan Rodgers is determined to bolster his attacking options, with Leigh Griffiths out for an indefinite period and Odsonne Edouard having struggled with injuries.
But Streda boss Peter Hyballa has vowed to fight to keep the Ivorian so the striker can fire his side to an historic Slovakian league title.
Bayo’s 14 goals have helped fire the German’s young side into second place in the Slovak Super Liga.
And Hyballa, 43, said: “If Celtic are serious and make a serious offer then it is something to consider because they are a wonderful club.
“I’d need to talk with the player but every coach in the world – and I’m sure Brendan Rodgers will be the same – wants the best for his team.
“I’m the coach of Dunajska Streda and that is my only interest and we must also look after ourselves. Bayo is a very good striker and I hope he stays with us.
“I don’t know what kind of money is on offer and it’s not my job to put a price tag on his head as I’m the coach and not the sporting director or an agent.
“But purely from a football point of view, we have the chance to be champions for the first time in the history of the club and we already have a record points total.
“We are eight points behind Slovan Bratislava – the big capital club – but we have a chance to finish first or second and we play Slovan on February 16.
“We want to achieve big things – and Bayo is crucial to that.
“I told our general manager that I want to work with him at least until the end of the season.”