Despite the positive momentum, Celtic’s transfer ambitions have hit a snag. According to a report from The Celtic Star citing Romanian outlet iAMsport.ro, Celtic’s €8 million (£6.9 million) bid for CFR Cluj’s prolific striker Louis Munteanu was swiftly rejected. The 23-year-old Romanian Under-21 international, who scored 23 league goals and 25 in all competitions last season, is valued by Cluj at between €10-18 million (£8.6-15.6 million), with club owner Ioan Varga reportedly demanding at least €15 million for the former Fiorentina forward
Cluj have rejected a £6.9million bid from Celtic for striker Louis Munteanu, according to a report.
— Proud Celts (@proudcelts) July 17, 2025
Now Romanian outlet iamsport claim that the Premiership champions have seen an offer of just under £7million booted out by the Transylvania based club.
And owner Ioan Varga… pic.twitter.com/piefHbXoSQ
Munteanu’s sensational debut season with Cluj, where he was crowned Romania’s top goalscorer and helped secure the Romanian Cup, has also attracted interest from French Ligue 1 clubs Lille, Rennes, and Nice. His recent goal in Cluj’s 3-0 Europa League qualifier win over Paksi further underscores his value.
Celtic’s Striker Search Intensifies
The rejected bid for Munteanu comes as Brendan Rodgers seeks to bolster Celtic’s attacking options following the departure of Kyogo Furuhashi to Rennes. The club has already secured Japanese striker Shin Yamada from Kawasaki Frontale for £1.5 million, with Yamada set to join after completing his farewell with Frontale. However, Rodgers has indicated that Yamada is not an automatic first-team starter and will be assessed, suggesting the need for additional firepower.
Well that confirms where he is going.
— Charlie 🍀 (@TheBhoysPage) July 16, 2025
Welcome to Celtic, Shin Yamada 🍀🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/aKTPaGwvHP
Celtic’s current striking options include Adam Idah, Johnny Kenny, and new signing Callum Osmand, who joined from Fulham for a development fee. While Idah has shown promise, Rodgers recently noted the team’s need for sharper finishing in the final third during their pre-season win over Sporting Lisbon. The pursuit of Munteanu, who has 68 career goals in 175 appearances, reflects Rodgers’ desire for a proven goalscorer to lead the line in the Scottish Premiership and European competitions.
However, the financial gap between Celtic’s offer and Cluj’s valuation poses a challenge. With French clubs also circling, Celtic may need to act quickly or shift focus to other targets, such as Napoli’s Giuseppe Ambrosino or Antwerp’s Michel-Ange Balikwisha, who have been linked in recent reports.
Odsonne Édouard Rumors Quelled
Adding to the transfer chatter, speculation about a return for former Celtic star Odsonne Édouard has been dismissed by Rodgers. The 27-year-old Crystal Palace striker, who scored 83 goals during his time at Celtic, is available for transfer, but Rodgers said that Édouard “hasn’t been on the radar,” citing the need for players with “hunger, goals, work rate, and intensity.” Édouard’s £90,000 weekly wage and lack of goals this season make a reunion unlikely, especially with Celtic’s focus on younger, high-potential talents like Munteanu and Yamada.
As expected Odsonne Edouard is NOT on Celtics radar as confirmed by Brendan Rodgers ❌🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/dj5XxLu8Lo
— Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) July 16, 2025
Looking Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
As Celtic prepare for their next pre-season friendly against Newcastle United, the new kit and recent signings like Yamada and Kieran Tierney signal ambition. However, the rejected bid for Munteanu highlights the challenges of competing in the transfer market against wealthier European clubs. Rodgers’ comments suggest a pragmatic approach, balancing financial constraints with the need for quality additions to maintain Celtic’s dominance in Scotland and compete in the Champions League. Fans remain optimistic about the season ahead, with the new kit symbolizing a fresh chapter. Whether Celtic revisit their pursuit of Munteanu or pivot to other targets, the coming weeks will be crucial in shaping the squad. For now, supporters can purchase the new kits via Celtic’s official website and look forward to seeing their team in action, hoping for a transfer breakthrough to match the excitement of the kit launch.