Celtic may yet have another chance to land striker Louis Munteanu after fresh comments from FCSB owner George Becali suggested the Romanian’s price tag has collapsed.
That figure was far beyond Celtic’s budget, despite Brendan Rodgers being desperate for new firepower after losing Adam Idah and failing to land Kasper Dolberg or David Datro Fofana.
Now the situation has changed. Munteanu went AWOL from Cluj training in an effort to force a move abroad, resulting in a €10,000 fine. His actions have sparked debate in Romania, with Becali suggesting the player is no longer worth anything close to the money once demanded.
He said: (Digi Sport), “The original price was valid as long as he’s a footballer with the club – but when he walked away it changes.
“A friend told me that ‘if you give him 6, they will take it’. I thought, ‘have I gone crazy?’ I thought about it but I do not think he would come. But where has all the money gone in Europe?
“Now, in a year or two, because after that he’ll get old, he will only be worth €4.5 million.”
For Celtic, this could open the door to revisiting the move at a far more realistic price. Munteanu scored 23 goals last season and was the top scorer in Romania, underlining his ability to provide the kind of cutting edge Rodgers still lacks.
The drop in value may allow the Hoops to bring him in for a fee within their reach, turning what was once an impossible deal into a potential opportunity.
There will, however, be questions over his professionalism after his training ground walkout. Celtic will weigh up whether the risk is worth taking, but given the striker shortage, Munteanu could be back on the Parkhead radar sooner rather than later.
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