The Parkhead giants reportedly had a bid for the Romania star thrown out earlier this summer
16:09, 25 Aug 2025Updated 16:10, 25 Aug 2025
Louis Munteanu of CFR Cluj(Image: Flaviu Buboi/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Celtic transfer target Louis Munteanu has reportedly been fined by CFR Cluj after going AWOL in an effort to force a move away from the club.
The Romanian international striker is said to be on Brendan Rodgers‘ radar, with the Hoops boss desperate to add more firepower in the forward department.
Celtic reportedly saw a £6.9million bid for the player turfed out this summer while Greek giants Olympiacos and Valencia in La Liga also credited with an interest in the 23-year-old, who banged in 25 goals last season.
An insider close to Munteanu’s camp has claimed that the attacker has a preference to move to Spain and reports in Romania now state that the player is facing disciplinary action after going on an unauthorised vacation in the wake of a humilating 7-2 defeat to BK Hacken in the first leg of their Conference League play-off.
Munteanu was left out of the matchday squad in Sunday’s 4-1 defeat to Otelul and GSP now report that while he has returned to the fold after cooling his efforts to facilitate a transfer elsewhere, Cluj intend to fine him up to €10,000 (£8,663).
One other area of the pitch that Celtic are looking to bolster in the final week of the summer window is at left back.
Boca Juniors defender Marcelo Saracchi emerged as a potential target over the weekend, and reports in South America now claim that talks to bring the Uruguay international to Parkhead are at an ‘advanced stage’.
Saracchi was absent from Boca’s 2-0 triumph over Banfield on Sunday night but was snapped taking in the game in a VIP box at La Bombonera.
But ESPN Argentina report that a loan deal with the option for a permanent transfer further down the line is close to being finalised.
Marcelo Saracchi(Image: Douglas Murray/Action Plus/Shutterstock)
Saracchi, 27, has played at Celtic Park before after turning out for RB Leipzig against the Hoops in the Europa League back seven years ago.
He previously played for Levante in Spain and Galatasaray of Turkey after joining the Bundesliga club from Boca’s hated rivals River Plate in 2018.
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