-
News
- 8 hours ago
Celtic forced to break transfer record to sign top striker target
Cameron Smith
- 26 Sept 2025 18:00 BST
- 3 min read
News
Celtic have been informed that it will cost up to €20 million to sign top striker target Louis Munteanu during the January transfer window.
The CFR Cluj superstar was heavily tipped to complete a move to Brendan Rodgers’ side throughout the summer, but a deal failed to materialise and Celtic opted to sign Kelechi Iheanacho on a free transfer instead.
Current ETV
Louis Munteanu
F (C)
CFR Cluj
Louis Munteanu
F (C)
CFR Cluj
ETV Range
€5.6M - €7.6M
Iheanacho has enjoyed a stellar start to life in Glasgow, notching two goals and one assist in three appearances for the club, however Celtic continue to be linked with a wide range of centre forwards as they look to add additional reinforcements in January.
Munteanu is one such target, although the Scottish giants are yet to match Cluj’s asking price and they will reportedly be forced to make him their all-time record signing if they want to purchase him in 2026.
Jota is currently the most expensive player to ever join Celtic, courtesy of his €16.2m transfer from Benfica in 2022, however Munteanu will surpass him if he arrives at the club next year, according to Cluj owner Ioan Varga.
Celtic receive €20m Louis Munteanu transfer verdict
Celtic saw an €8m bid for Munteanu rejected over the summer, as per reports, and Varga has now informed the reigning Scottish Premiership champions of his asking price for the 23-year-old.
“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,” Varga told GSP.ro (via The Daily Record).
“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, €15-17m, plus percentages and bonuses, so that the transfer could go up to €20m.
“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.”
Munteanu scored 25 goals in 42 games across all competitions last season and his current contract at Cluj isn’t due to expire until 2028.
Football transfer news headlines today
'Chelsea look more interested in transfers than trophies' - Jamie Carragher
Derek Cornelius given ‘unique’ Glasgow advice ahead of Rangers move and told to 'suck it up'
Arteta confirms Real Madrid talks with Saliba – here’s what the Arsenal boss said
TRANSFER RUMOURS: Palmer unhappy as Man Utd make signing PLUS Liverpool January plan
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers' new app for all of football's big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
