Celtic were in pursuit of many strikers throughout the summer months, including Louis Munteanu.
Cluj demanded a hefty asking price for Munteanu, as the Romanian club tried to keep hold of their star talent.
Desperate to leave, Munteanu even refused to play but nobody would come in and offer what his side wanted.
Brendan Rodgers settled for Kelechi Iheanacho instead but with Daizen Maeda wanting to leave, extra firepower is needed.
Now, a perfect opportunity has arisen.
Louis Munteanu available on the cheap
According to GSP in Romania, the 23-year-old is available for significanlty less than he was in the summer.
The Hoops were told that Cluj wanted to get close to £12-£16m for the forward, but nobody would pay it.
A deal to sell him to Ajax broke down on transfer deadline day, and FCSB owner George Becali has said that he has heard he could be sold on the cheap.
“I wasn’t 100 per cent he would give in. But when the club publicly said they want 12 million euros, I felt for him, he said.
“The club now need to look at bringing in money in the bag in January no matter what. I heard 5 million euros. I could try, but I don’t know if he would look at my face. But I praise him.”
Celtic should be bidding for Louis Munteanu
Signing Munteanu is a no-brainer for the Bhoys if they are serious about competing in Europe.
Iheanacho may have had a great start, but the forward is 28 and on a one-year deal, with no guarantee he extends his stay.
Johnny Kenny, Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand all do not seem ready to feature, strengthening the claim that the Hoops need a forward.
Munteanu’s record in Romania speaks for itself and while he is yet to get off the mark in the league this season, his off-field dramas are probably playing a role in it.
£4.5m would also be less than what the Hoops paid for Adam Idah, who had an up-and-down time in Glasgow.
It feels too good to turn down, and Celtic should be racing in to get this done.
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