‘Financial’ crisis forces sale of Celtic target as club president confirms striker is up for grabs

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Celtic’s striker problems could ease after a summer transfer target has been told his sale must happen to help ease a financial crisis at his club.

Celtic tried to strengthen their forward line in the summer as the Bhoys’ pursuit of the likes of Jakob Breum dominated the transfer headlines.

Kasper Dolberg’s rejection of Celtic on transfer deadline day was another sore one the fans had to take after the sales of Kyogo and Adam Idah left the Parkhead club desperately short of options up front.

However, the January window could be more fortuitous after Celtic have now been told that one summer target is now a ‘priority’ to be sold after ‘financial problems’ were admitted by the selling club’s president.

• READ MORE: BBC man shares what he is ‘constantly told’ by people at Celtic about Dermot Desmond

CFR Cluj president admits the sale of Celtic target Louis Munteanu is a ‘priority’

Celtic’s pursuit of Louis Munteanu was a summer-long transfer saga that frustrated the Hoops support. The Bhoys were told that they had to cough up at least £8.6m for the Romanian after a reported £6.9m bid was thrown out by Cluj.

But now, it seems that Celtic could nab Munteanu for a bargain price after club president Iuliu Mureșan admitted that a financial crisis is forcing the sale of their top striker.

Speaking to GSP, he confessed: “The transfer of Louis Munteanu would be a priority for us.

“The transfer of Louis Munteanu would be a priority for us, given our financial problems, selling Munteanu would certainly be a big breath of fresh air. And especially for as much as possible if it were. But I think we can manage even if we don’t sell.

“I saw that Prunea declared that it was a disaster, insolvency. The problem is not there for now.

“We have debts, financial problems, but we are managing them. The players are a salary behind, the junior centre and the administration are up to date with their salaries.”

Luis Munteanu’s goal-scoring stats since failed Celtic move

Despite all the speculation surrounding Munteanu and Celtic, the Romanian striker stayed put this summer.

But since his move to Celtic didn’t materialise, here is how the 23-year-old striker has fared this season so far:

• Appearances: 14
• Starts: 9
• Goals: 2

• Assists: 2

Currently out injured with a thigh problem, Munteanu isn’t enjoying the best start to the season. But will the chat from the Cluj president alert Celtic to making a move in January considering the striker crisis at the Parkhead club?