Celtic Have A Bid Turned Down For This Romanian Sensation: Why They Must Not Give Up The Chase | OneFootball

If a recent report from the Romanian outlet iAMsport.ro (as cited by The Daily Record) is believed to be true, Celtic have seen their bid of around £6.9m rejected for Louis Munteanu. CFR Cluj owner Ioan Varga has set a valuation of over £15m for their prized asset amid interest from Ligue 1 trio Rennes, Lille, and Nice.

The 23-year-old Romanian international spent his youth years with LPS Vaslui and Gheorghe Hagi Academy before attaining senior minutes with Viitorul Constanța in his homeland. He then plied his trade in Italy and completed a €2m move to Fiorentina in September 2020.

Despite featuring regularly for their Primavera side, Munteanu was not at all involved in the first-team setup. The Serie A outfit loaned him out to Farul Constanța in 2022 for back-to-back campaigns, and his exquisite scoring form in Liga I earned him attention from several Romanian hotshots. CFR won the race over FCSB and Rapid Bucureșt and secured his services for €2.8m ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Why Munteanu Has Emerged As A Key Transfer Target

The youngster was an instant success, as he scored 25 times in 42 games across competitions. He found the net in the final en route to conquering the Cupa României crown. Moreover, 23 league goals last season earned him the Liga I top scorer, as well as the U21 Player of the Season award.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 06: Fiorentina player Louis Munteanu (l) and Rolando Mandragora challenge Jordan Lotomba of Nice during the pre-season friendly match between ACF Fiorentina and OGC Nice at St James’ Park on August 06, 2023, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Munteanu captained his nation in the UEFA U21 European Championship. Although Romania lost all three group stage fixtures, the striking sensation grabbed the limelight by firing in against Spain in their 2-1 defeat. He netted again yesterday as a substitute during CFR’s UEFA Europa League first qualifying round victory against Paksi FC, and his blistering scoring form has now made him the Hoops’ prime transfer target high up the pitch.

Why Celtic Must Submit An Improved Offer For The Romanian

Celtic have brought in Benjamin Nygren as a like-for-like replacement for Nicolas Kuhn, who left for Como earlier this month. Callum Osmand is another exciting addition straight from Fulham’s academy ranks. The scouting continues in the Far East, as they are now closing in on Shin Yamada from Kawasaki Frontale, after snapping up Hayato Inamura to bolster the backline.

However, both Osmond and Yamada are project signings who might not be handed immediate starting roles. Brendan Rodgers has yet to replace Kyogo Furuhashi up top since his winter exit from Rennes. Daizen Maeda, shifted to a ‘number 9’ spot from the left flank, showed his scintillating scoring expertise, but Jota’s long-term knee injury demands his presence on the wing. With in-demand Johnny Kenny could be loaned out for regular gametime, the arrival of