DAC Dunajská Streda player Matej Trusa. (source: TASR - Jaroslav Novák)
Matej Trusa may hail from eastern Slovakia, but he has found his rhythm in the west. Since arriving at DAC Dunajská Streda in July 2023, the 24-year-old forward has established himself as a key figure. His numbers this season tell the story: 22 competitive matches, 12 goals. A striker in form and at an ideal age, Trusa has inevitably drawn interest from abroad.
Polish media recently reported that Legia Warsaw, one of the most storied clubs in Poland, have been tracking him closely, reports Hospodárske noviny. Legia’s need for attacking reinforcements is no secret, with Spanish forward Marc Gual shouldering much of the burden. Trusa was reportedly on their radar—alongside fellow Slovak Róbert Boženík of Boavista in Portugal—but DAC’s €1.5 million asking price proved a stumbling block.
“Legia considered Trusa,” Polish football journalist Piotr Koźmiński told Hospodárske noviny. “But when they heard the price tag, they decided to look elsewhere.”
Trusa’s market value currently stands at €1.2 million, but DAC are in no rush to sell. Financially stable under owner Oszkár Világi, CEO of Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava, the club see him as a central piece of their project. With two and a half years remaining on his contract and no internal pressure to cash in, DAC hold the cards in any negotiation.
Legia have been here before. Last summer, they showed interest in Slovak defender Sebastian Kóša of Spartak Trnava, only to walk away.
UK clubs interested in Strelec
Meanwhile, a bigger deal in Slovak football has taken centre stage: David Strelec’s near-record move to England.
The Slovan Bratislava striker was the subject of bids from Middlesbrough and Celtic, with Boro willing to pay close to €10 million—an amount that would have shattered the record for a transfer from the Slovak league. Yet, the move collapsed.
Slovan claim it was a matter of timing. “We weren’t far from an agreement with Celtic and other clubs, but we didn’t reach the final phase of negotiations,” owner Ivan Kmotrík Jr. told Šport.sk.
Behind the scenes, though, the situation appears more complex. Slovan’s lack of squad depth may have played a crucial role. With Idjessi Metsoko their only other natural striker—and his form inconsistent—letting Strelec leave mid-season posed a significant risk. Denník N suggests this was a key factor in the deal falling through.
Dávid Strelec (Slovan) and José Giménez (Atletico) during the UEFA Champions League group stage Matchday 6 between Atletico Madrid and ŠK Slovan Bratislava on December 11, 2024 in Madrid. (source: Martin Baumann)
For Strelec, the disappointment was hard to hide. He had his heart set on England, having previously pushed through a move to Spezia in Italy. Back in domestic action last weekend, he scored and assisted in Slovan’s win at Ružomberok, but his post-match words hinted at frustration.
Asked how he felt, he replied with a wry smile: “Fantastic. Never been better.”
Pressed on whether he was struggling to come to terms with the failed transfer, he admitted: “Not really struggling, but some things sting. Some things you just can’t control.”
Strelec had been one of Slovan’s standout performers in European competition, catching the eye of scouts. Whether those suitors will still be watching in the summer remains to be seen.
