Celtic’s hopes of landing Louis Munteanu may have taken another hit after CFR Cluj owner Ioan Varga confirmed he still expects the striker to leave, with Ajax leading the chase.
The Hoops reportedly had an offer turned down earlier in the summer, with Cluj standing firm on a price tag far higher than Celtic were prepared to pay. Now Varga has revealed that Ajax came close to sealing a deal on deadline day, only for the move to collapse due to timing.
That development may also have had a knock-on effect for Kasper Dolberg. Celtic were heavily linked with the Danish forward before his eventual move to Amsterdam, and had Munteanu joined Ajax first, it could have altered how that transfer unfolded. The two deals appear more connected than first thought.
For now, Celtic remain on the sidelines while Cluj continue to demand up to €20 million for Munteanu, a fee that would almost certainly put him beyond the Hoops’ reach unless circumstances change in January.
He said: (GSP.ro), “The truth about Louis Munteanu’s transfer is that we were one step away from selling him to Ajax on the last day of the transfer window.
“But we didn’t get the timing right, because we made the deal around 6pm and there were only a few hours left.
“Ajax and Valencia are, at the moment, the only clubs willing to pay under the conditions we are asking for, that is, 15-17 million euros plus percentages and bonuses, so that the transfer could go up to 20 million euros (£17.5million).
“It is a discussion that will be reactivated in the winter transfer window and we hope that then God will keep Louis healthy and help us in the championship.”
For Celtic, the Munteanu saga once again shows the board’s unwillingness to really compete in today’s transfer market. Clubs like Ajax and Valencia are ready to spend close to €20m on top young players, but Celtic stick to tighter budgets that leave them unable to fight for the same level of talent.
The Dolberg situation proves the point. If Ajax had managed to land Munteanu, they might not have gone for Dolberg, which could have given Celtic a real chance. Instead, the club stood by, letting another proven striker move elsewhere while others acted with intent.
Fans are right to be angry. The same story keeps happening: slow decisions, cautious budgets, and missed chances. By January, Munteanu’s fee may be even higher, making a deal impossible. It’s another sign of how a lack of drive from the board is stopping Celtic from pushing on.
Rodgers now has to make do with what he has, with Iheanacho leading the line. The Nigerian is a good signing, but Celtic still lack depth and variety in attack. Compared to more ambitious European clubs, the difference in approach is clear. Supporters know it: the club won’t progress beyond Scotland if it keeps playing safe.
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