CFR Cluj owner reveals how he convinced Celtic target Louis Munteanu to stay

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Louis Munteanu was linked with Celtic throughout the summer.

The Hoops had a £6.9m bid rejected for Munteanu as the 23-year-old did everything he could to try and force a move away.

Munteanu even went AWOL for a brief period to try and force CFR Cluj’s hands, as clubs in Spain and France monitored the situation.

In the end, the forward stayed and looks like he will be integrated back into the Super League side after Cluj’s owner talked him out of leaving.

• READ MORE: Celtic transfer target who failed to secure move away now could be available for significantly reduced fee

CFR Cluj owner told Louis Munteanu that the offers received weren’t good enough

Cluj owner Ioan Varga revealed to Romanian media that he denied the 23-year-old the chance to leave on deadline day and after sitting down with the forward, convinced him that remaining at his current club was the best for him.

He told Digi Sport: “I talked to Louis, of course I did. I showed him the offers I received, proof that I wasn’t talking nonsense when we discussed a very large, but normal amount for the best player in the championship.

“I also explained to him why it didn’t end up with a transfer with anyone and he understood. In the end, he said that maybe it’s better that it happened like this.

“Anyway, given his value, there will certainly be other important opportunities.”

Will Celtic go back in for Louis Munteanu?

Despite the earlier speculation linking Celtic to Munteanu, the rumours have died down in the past month or so.

The asking price Cluj seem to be asking for would break the Hoops’ record transfer, and parting with that sort of cash in January seems unlikely.

Adam Idah’s move to Swansea City was partially covered by the arrival of Kelechi Iheanacho, but Brendan Rodgers may still want to bring in another number nine to add an extra number nine to bolster the ranks.