Ladislav Almasi to Celtic transfer 'back ON' as Slovakian star tipped as Cho Gue Sung alternative

The Hoops are looking for a new striker and were linked with Almasi back in the summer.

Celtic will reportedly look to previous target Ladislav Almasi if their pursuit of Cho Gue-sung doesn't go to plan.

Ange Postecoglou is believed to be in the market for a new striker after Record Sport revealed Giorgos Giakoumakis' contract talks broke down, leaving the club open to January offers for the Greek. Postecoglou hasn't started Giakoumakis since returning from the World Cup break with firing Kyogo the firm favourite up front and if he does leave, they seem likely to sign another front man.

World Cup star Gue-sung appears to be the main target to that end and he has established household name status in his homeland after becoming the first South Korean ever to net multiple goals in a single World Cup game against Ghana. He's posed for the cover of Vogue and could bring his new movie-star level appeal to Parkhead with a price tag of around £2million mooted.

Back in the summer though they were linked with Banik Ostrava striker Almasi, who has been firing in the goals for the Czech side. He featured against the Hoops in a summer friendly and Postecoglou was even directly asked if he was interested in the towering striker by local media.

He dodged that question and no offer arrived but fresh reports in the Czech Republic claim he is the plan B if their pursuit of Gue-Sung doesn't go to plan. It comes from Rudolf Ludvik, who has a following for covering Banik Ostrava stories on social media and has frequently covered Celtic's reported interest.

The news comes amid alternative reports claiming Gue-Sung is on the radar of Fenerbahce and Rennes, although it's widely believed Celtic are still favourites. If they do end up looking to Almasi instead, Ludvik claims it will cost Celtic around €2.5m (£2.2m) to land the 23-year-old who has five goals in seven appearances this season.

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