Celtic target Andraz Sporar has been hailed as a ready made replacement for Odsonne Edouard according to Hoops legend Lubo Moravcik as reported in The Daily Record.
Moravcik claims that Sporar is the best player in Slovakia and the striker, with 20 goals in 26 appearances this season, is a wanted man and the Parkhead club will need to move fast if they want to finalise a deal with several other clubs said to be interested in the 25-year-old.
The Record reveals that Sporar has already held talks with Celtic but Slovan Bratislava have warned that they are in danger of “missing out” as they have yet to table a deal to land the hitman despite saying that they would submit an offer. With the transfer figure being reported to be between £5-7m it is unlikely that he would be signed as a back-up to Odsonne Edouard given the size of the outlay.
Edouard has been the subject of increased transfer speculation with several English clubs including Manchester United, Chelsea, Tottenham and Leicester City rumoured to be keeping tabs on the young Frenchman. Celtic’s valuation of Edouard starts at £30m so there would be plenty cash available if Sporar was to be signed as his replacement.
Movarik when asked about the qualities that would make Sporar a success at Celtic said”
“He was excellent in the Europa League this season with Slovan Bratislava and scored six goals in the competition and is in very good form. He is very strong physically, quick and he is good in front of goal, he makes good decisions in that area”.
“He has got the potential to score a lot of goals for Celtic. He is not the tallest but he knows how to score with his head as well as his feet. He is good in the challenge and is fast and direct”.
“At Celtic with good players around him he will score goals I’m sure of that. I think Sporar is similar to Edouard, not so tall but is quick, direct and excellent in front of goal. He would maybe be a good option for Celtic if Edouard were to move on”.
It’s worth remembering that Moravcik also backed Vakoun Issouf Bayo to be a success when he signed for the Celts a year ago from the same league and he has done little so far to suggest that he has what it takes to be either an able deputy or to stake a claim to be Edouard’s replacement if and when he leaves.
Should Celtic splash out on Andraz Sporar as £7m back-up to Odsonne Edouard?
Yes
No
The Parkhead club needs back-up in the forward line and there is a definite interest in Sporar, whether the interest is a long-term one if Edouard departs or as a high quality back-up remains to be seen, either way, Moravcik’s assessment of the player will surely whet the appetite of fans waiting for Neil Lennon to make his first move of the January transfer window.