Franko Kovacevic to Celtic: Transfer Update as Celje Set Record-Breaking Valuation

Celtic’s ongoing search for attacking reinforcements has taken another intriguing turn, with fresh clarity emerging over the potential cost of pursuing Franko Kovacevic. While speculation continues to swirl around the Croatian striker’s future, comments from Celje president Valerij Kolotilo have placed a firm and significant valuation on the forward — one that would rewrite transfer history in Slovenia.

Kolotilo has made it clear that Kovacevic is viewed not simply as a promising striker, but as a premium asset deserving of record-setting compensation. Speaking to the Slovenian news agency STA, the Celje chief left little room for ambiguity when outlining his expectations.

3DAFJCW Rijeka, Croatia. 10th Dec, 2025. Franko Kovacevic of NK Celje speaks on a press conference at HNK Rijeka Stadium on December 10, 2025 in Rijeka, Croatia ahead of the UEFA Conference League match against HNK Rijeka. Photo: Goran Kovacic/PIXSELL Credit: Pixsell/Alamy Live News

“Kovacevic is currently the best European ‘striker’,” Kolotilo stated. “Many people are talking about him, but I haven’t received an offer for him yet. I will be satisfied with the record compensation for Celje and Slovenia — more than Olimpija received for Raul Florucz and Ezekiel Henty.”

Those remarks are significant not only for their confidence but for the financial benchmark they establish. In Slovenia, transfer records are well defined. Olimpija Ljubljana’s sales of Ezekiel Henty and Raul Florucz, each commanding fees of approximately €5 million, remain the highest sums ever paid for players departing a Slovenian club. By explicitly referencing those deals and demanding a higher return, Kolotilo has effectively set Kovacevic’s price north of €5 million.

That figure immediately elevates the discussion. Any move for Kovacevic would not merely represent a standard signing but would become the most expensive transfer in Slovenian football history. For Celje, such a sale would mark a landmark moment. For Celtic, it would represent a clear statement of intent — and a departure from their traditionally cautious transfer model.

Soccer Football – 2. Bundesliga – SV Wehen Wiesbaden v St. Pauli – Brita-Arena, Wiesbaden, Germany – May 19, 2024 SV Wehen Wiesbaden’s Franko Kovacevic scores their first goal REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

14th January 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Falkirk versus Celtic; Celtic interim manager Martin ONeill speaks during the post match press conference

14th January 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Falkirk versus Celtic; Celtic interim manager Martin ONeill speaks during the post match press conference

14th January 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Falkirk versus Celtic; Celtic interim manager Martin ONeill speaks during the post match press conference

3DAFJCW Rijeka, Croatia. 10th Dec, 2025. Franko Kovacevic of NK Celje speaks on a press conference at HNK Rijeka Stadium on December 10, 2025 in Rijeka, Croatia ahead of the UEFA Conference League match against HNK Rijeka. Photo: Goran Kovacic/PIXSELL Credit: Pixsell/Alamy Live News

14th January 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Falkirk versus Celtic; Celtic interim manager Martin ONeill acknowledges the fans after the match

14th January 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Falkirk versus Celtic; Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic raises a fist to the fans after the win

14th January 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Falkirk versus Celtic; Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic and Callum McGregor of Celtic celebrate after the final whistle

14th January 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Falkirk versus Celtic; Falkirk manager John McGlynn and Celtic interim manager Martin ONeill shake hands before the match

14th January 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Falkirk versus Celtic; Johnny Kenny of Celtic shoots on goal

14th January 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Falkirk versus Celtic; Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic saves a shot from Ethan Williams of Falkirk

14th January 2026; Falkirk Stadium, Falkirk, Scotland; Scottish Premiership Football, Falkirk versus Celtic; Benjamin Nygren of Celtic celebrates after he heads the ball and scores to make it 1-0 to Celtic in the 43rd minute

At this stage, it is important to stress that no formal bid has been submitted. Kolotilo himself confirmed that interest has yet to translate into concrete offers. That distinction matters. It suggests Celtic, along with other interested clubs, are still in the evaluation phase, weighing whether Kovacevic’s profile justifies the financial outlay now being demanded.

However, public statements of this nature rarely happen by accident. By anchoring negotiations around precedent and record values, Celje have drawn a clear line before talks even begin. This is not a starting price designed to invite bargaining; it is a declaration of value rooted in historical context.

For Celtic, that framing changes the complexion of any potential deal. A transfer exceeding €5 million would push Kovacevic into a different category altogether. He would no longer be a developmental or opportunistic signing but a major investment, carrying heightened expectations both on and off the pitch.

That reality sits somewhat uneasily alongside Celtic’s recent transfer strategy. In recent windows, the club have tended to focus on value-driven recruitment, targeting players with room to grow, structured payments, or resale potential. While Celtic are not strangers to spending when they believe the circumstances justify it, outright record-breaking fees — particularly in smaller markets — have generally been approached with caution.

This is where the broader context becomes important. Celtic’s domestic dominance and European visibility have altered how clubs across the continent perceive them. Interest from Glasgow is increasingly viewed as serious and well-funded, which in turn allows selling clubs to set firmer, more ambitious demands. That dynamic brings opportunity, but also pressure.

Celje’s stance reflects that shift. They believe they possess a striker operating at a level that commands elite recognition within their market. By waiting for a record bid, they signal confidence not just in Kovacevic’s ability, but in the market’s willingness to meet their valuation.

From Celtic’s perspective, the decision is not purely about talent. Financial considerations, squad balance, and timing all factor heavily into January recruitment. The striker position may be a priority, but it is not the only area under review. Committing a significant portion of the budget to one player inevitably impacts what can be done elsewhere.

There is also the question of leverage. By making their expectations public, Celje have effectively placed pressure on interested clubs to either step up decisively or walk away. That can serve as both a deterrent and a filter, ensuring only the most committed suitors remain in the conversation.

For Celtic, this could function as a warning as much as an invitation. The message is clear: Kovacevic is available, but only on terms that redefine the financial landscape of Slovenian football. Anything less will not be entertained.

That clarity allows Celtic to make an informed choice. They can decide whether Kovacevic represents sufficient value at a premium price or whether their resources are better allocated elsewhere. In a market filled with alternatives — from loans to emerging talents in more established leagues — flexibility remains one of Celtic’s strongest assets.

At the same time, Celje appear in no rush. Their position suggests patience and confidence, believing that if Kovacevic continues to perform, interest will only intensify. Until a record-breaking offer arrives, they seem content to retain their prized forward.

As the transfer window progresses, the situation is likely to crystallise quickly. Either Celtic decide that Kovacevic is worth stepping into uncharted financial territory, or they pivot toward options that align more comfortably with their established recruitment philosophy.

In that sense, the next move will be telling. A bid above the €5 million threshold would signal boldness and conviction from Celtic. Silence or withdrawal, meanwhile, would suggest that while admiration exists, the valuation has shifted the deal beyond reach.

For now, the ball remains firmly in Celtic’s court. Celje have set their price, framed their expectations, and made history part of the equation. Whether Celtic are prepared to meet that challenge will define how genuine this transfer link ultimately proves to be.