Balde drops free transfer bombshell
Bobo Balde could be the next big-name figure to leave Celtic Park after issuing a "come and get me" plea to Bayern Munich.
The giant defender has revealed that the Bundesliga giants have put him at the top of their summer shopping list and he would jump at the chance to move to Germany.
Balde also admitted he would go for nothing if that was the case, having had a clause put in his contract while signing a four-year deal in the New Year.
Celtic supporters are already in shock after the announcement that Martin O'Neill was leaving after their Tennent's Scottish Cup victory over Dundee United at Hampden Park.
And now they will be in uproar to learn that Balde is set to leave for free in a mass summer exodus from the east end of Glasgow.
Balde said: "I can tell you now that I have fours years at Celtic but I am delighted that Bayern have said that they are interested in signing me.
"They say they want to sign players and I am at the top of their list and I am willing to consider that.
"I have a sport adviser who I trust and he has been speaking with Bayern Munich. They haven't made any decisions but they are still interested and say I'm top of the list.
"I am going to go on holiday and then see what's happening and then get ready to be fit for the new season.
"I would be happy to stay and I have honoured their contract and signed another, but I put a clause in that contract to say I could go for free at this time. I am free to go for nothing in this transfer window. If Bayern come back and say they want me to sign then I will go for free.
"I am only interested in people who want me and don't care about speculation. The manager of Bayern said he was interested in me and they are one of the best clubs.
"To be honest, I have language books in my bag - English, Spanish, French, Italian and German."
But Balde then insisted he would be willing to stay and work with new manager Gordon Strachan.
He added: "I have had a very good time with Martin O'Neill and I don't know much about the new manager or how he plays.
"But I would be delighted to work with any new manager and I would be happy with him."
Balde looked to be saying his farewells when he ran to the supporters with the trophy at Hampden, but he insisted it was merely a thank-you after the events of last week.
Having turned up in their droves all season, Celtic saw their heroes throw the title away on the final day of the campaign and then watched their manager leave.
Balde concluded: "They deserve this because it has been such a hard week for them.
"I went over to give the cup to them because there is 60,000 at every single game at home so they deserved to get their hands on it too."
