Lask has recently lost the bid for Bulgarian national player Kristijan Balov, who is now set to join Red Star Belgrade. The 19-year-old was sought after by several clubs across Europe, including Lask, who swept the board in Austria last season with a double. The Linzers are looking to challenge at the top again next season but have faced a setback in the transfer market.

According to reports from "NovSport," Lask showed interest in Balov, who was under contract with Slavia Sofia. However, Red Star Belgrade managed to secure his signature against notable competition, signing the winger for a transfer fee of 2.5 million euros. Alongside Lask, big clubs like Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and Eintracht Frankfurt were also interested in the talented player.

Balov made his debut for the Bulgarian national team in March, scoring in a 10-2 victory against the Solomon Islands. His market value is estimated at one million euros, and he had one year left on his contract in Sofia. Lask will now need to explore other options to optimize their squad planning for the upcoming season and remain competitive.

Balov's decision to move to Red Star could pose a challenge for Lask as they aim to maintain their ambitions of being successful in the Bundesliga and international competitions. The Linzers must act strategically to achieve their goals and possibly recruit other talented players who can strengthen their squad.