The Romanian has a whole host of suitors and reportedly is still liked by the Hoops
09:50, 30 Dec 2025Updated 09:52, 30 Dec 2025
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Louis Munteanu celebrates
Talk linking Celtic with CFR Cluj forward Louis Munteanu won't go away, with the Romanian forward set to be hell-bent on a move away from his club next month.
The 23-year-old is said to have a number of suitors across Europe including Valencia in La Liga and Ligue 1 duo Lyon and Nantes, with the latter seeing a bid to land the player fall through last summer. And former Cluj director of football Daniel Stanciu has warned the Hoops that Munteanu won't come cheap even if the two sides were to agree on a transfer fee. He told DigiSport: "CFR is in a very complicated, very bad situation , from all points of view. There are a lot of problems.
"A very good offer should come for Louis Munteanu, for CFR to recover, because the debts are high. No offer will come from outside. No matter who you work with, you say you have a relationship to build this transfer, no healthy club can pay 5-10 million for a player who has such problems.
"Louis Munteanu is paid very well. If you see Louis Munteanu's contract, you'll be scared. Louis Munteanu earns, with signing money, a lot of money. He has a very good contract. I'm not in a position to say whether he deserves it or not. The club made an effort, paid him, paid a transfer fee for him, paid a commission, he still has to pay."
It's set to be a busy month at Celtic as new boss Wilfried Nancy looks to stamp his authority on the role by bringing up to five new players. The Frenchman has endured a tough start to life in Glasgow but has notched up back-to-back victories over Aberdeen and Livingston after losing all four of his first matches at the helm in all competitions.
The champions are now just three points behind Premiership leaders Hearts with a game in hand and will be looking to close that gap further when they travel to Motherwell tonight. Record Sport has revealed that a right-sided defender, right-sided winger and a striker are high on Nancy's wish list, with several players including Ibrahim Diabate and Diego Rossi linked. Bournemouth defender Julian Araujo is on their radar, with the champions keen on a loan move for the ex Barcelona right back.
Mexico international Araujio arrived on the English south-coast from Barcelona in the summer of 2024 and made 13 appearances in the Premier League last season but has been given just one run-out in the Carabao Cup in the current campaign. Araujo was signed by Catalan legend Xavi during his brief stay at the Camp Nou, where he failed to make a senior appearance following his arrival in February 2023.
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Former Barcelona full back Julian Araujo(Image: Eston Parker/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
However, the former LA Galaxy star was given a glowing review by World Cup and four-time Champions League winner Xavi, who initially held high hopes for his new acquisition. Speaking in April 2023, he said: "Julián Araujo is adapting very well. From next year he can help us a lot, I’m sure he’s gonna be good option for us.
"He is strong, powerful, positive and he has a very good shot from distance."
Mexican Araujo also revealed words of wisdom from the former midfield maestro after completing a loan move to Las Palmas in the following summer, stating: “Xavi told me to go on loan to Las Palmas because it was the best place to grow.
"I’m very happy to be here, and I’m looking forward to getting started. It was worth it to come here after many weeks of negotiations, and I’m grateful to Barcelona and my representatives for closing the deal."
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