Exclusive: How Don Goodmam feels about Middlesbrough's potential David Strelec signing | OneFootball

The Slovakian international has been linked once again with a move to the Riverside after an impressive campaign with Slovan Bratislava.

Former West Bromwich Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Don Goodman believes that adding a top-level goalscorer would cement Middlesbrough as "a real threat" in the Championship.

Slovan Bratislava frontman David Strelec could be that man, as the 24-year-old's incredible scoring record in the Slovakian top flight makes for exciting viewing.

Strelec scored 25 times in all competitions last season, including two in the Champions League against Dinamo Zagreb and Atlético Madrid. His impressive first half of the season alerted Middlesbrough to his services.

The Slovakian outfit rejected a £9 million bid in January, but Boro are again interested alongside Celtic this summer, with Strelec's father even confirming as much.

Rob Edwards' side are in need of some goalscorers, after seeing their team's goal tally in the Championship decrease for a second successive campaign in 2024/25.

With Emmanuel Latte Lath departing in January, and a lot of their other attacking talents leaving at the end of their loan spells last season, Tommy Conway is the only true 'number nine' at the Riverside currently, with options such as Marcus Forss, Morgan Whittaker and Delano Burgzorg the only other candidates to lead the line in his absence.

In an exclusive interview with Football League World, Sky Sports pundit Don Goodman feels that adding someone with the attacking talent of Strelec could legitimise the chances of maintaining Middlesbrough's impressive start to the new campaign.

"The forward area is a huge one that Middlesbrough need to address, really," Goodman said.

On Strelec, the EFL pundit admitted that "he's not a striker I'm overly familiar with.

"Obviously, he's scored a lot of goals for the top team in Slovakia, and early on in his career, he had a little go in Serie A with Spezia, where he struggled a bit."

There's no doubting his prowess in front of goal, however, and whilst the level in the Championship may be more demanding and competitive than the Slovakian top flight, that instinct won't go away at a new club.

"Middlesbrough have got off to a good start this season," Goodman continued. "They've got some good players in forward areas, but I do think a goalscorer is something that, well, everyone wants.

"But, if they get an established one in, then that would really make Boro a real threat at the top end of the Championship."

David Strelec could make a big impact in the Championship this season

After scoring 20 in league action last season, which included eight in seven postseason games to help Slovan Bratislava win the Slovak Super Liga, Strelec is definitely ready to once again give it a crack in Europe.

The 24-year-old would be a great pick-up by a side such as Middlesbrough, who have a plethora of solid attacking midfielders and wingers, but only really have Conway as their main striking option.

Boro saw a decrease in their attacking output last season, netting just 64 goals across the term, seven fewer than the season prior, and 20 fewer than their 2022/23 play-off campaign.

Whilst Conway is a good option to have up top, he needs quality competition, something which Strelec could provide.

Middlesbrough reportedly launched a £9 million bid in January, and whilst a sum that large may put Boro off from pursuing the 24-year-old further this summer, it would all be worth it if Strelec could fire in the goals needed to make Rob Edwards' side competitive once again in the second tier.