The Premiership champions were said to have seen a bid rejected by Cluj earlier in the window
12:22, 21 Aug 2025Updated 13:54, 21 Aug 2025
Louis Munteanu is said has his heart set on a move to La Liga – despite interest from Celtic.
The Romania international caught the eye at CFR Cluj last season, banging in 25 goals in all competitions to help his team win the domestic cup.
Munteanu is alleged to be on Brendan Rodgers‘ radar, with reports claiming that the Hoops saw a £6.9million bid turfed out for the 23-year-old earlier this summer.
The former Fiorentina kid is also wanted by Valencia in Spain, and reports in Romania state that an initial loan deal that will become a permanent transfer for £8.6million is close to being finalised.
And Romania U23 boss and one-time Inverness Caley Thistle forward Marius Niculae has revealed the player’s transfer intentions.
Speaking to digisport.ro, he said: “I spent a lot of time with him this summer and talked a lot. I like him a lot, I bet on him to be the next striker for the national team.
“He is a player who has great qualities. He was also a little stressed, even if he didn’t show it. He says he is preparing, but your mind wanders to other areas as well.
“I see him in Spain, it suits him best. He wants this too, also in Spain, from the discussions we had. I think it would suit him best, not Italy where he has been before or somewhere else, in a tougher championship.”
Munteanu returned to action as a substitute in Cluj’s 3-3 league draw with Botosani last weekend after missing the second leg of their defeat to Braga in a Europa League qualifier.
But ahead of their Conference League play-off clash against BK Hacken, manager Dan Petrescu – a legend with Chelsea – insists the attacker’s lack of minutes is not down to any transfer speculation.
“Louis Munteanu has had several days in which he missed training this summer,” he stated. “He was injured, basically, he lost everything that the training period meant.
“Even so, I say that he hasn’t played badly so far, even if he hasn’t scored. He’s always started well, but, naturally, everyone expects more from him.”
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