Who will Celtic sign in January? With merely a week to go before the winter transfer window opens, we won't have to wait too long to find the answer to that question. We might already be learning about the players they won't be bringing to Parkhead though. And incidentally, the Hoops were being viewed as the favourites for one such striker, just a few days back.
A number of names are doing the rounds in the media with regard to a potential move to Celtic in January. Some are fresh ones to fit the arrival of Wilfried Nancy. Others are those fans will be quite familiar with by now.
Louis Munteanu is someone who has been on the radar of Celtic for a while. A move did not materialise in the summer after it had looked like CFR Cluj wanted around £15 million to part ways with the striker. This winter, it has been suggested that he is available for a third of that figure.
Reports in Romania earlier in the week had suggested that Celtic were the favourites to sign him. But now, it looks like they might not even be in the running for the striker.
'Advanced discussions' - Transfer U-turn after Celtic named favourites
As reported by The Herald, CFR Cluj president Iuliu Muresan said:
"We are in advanced discussions to sell two more players and we will solve our financial problems. Louis Munteanu is one of them."
While Munteanu looks headed for the CFR Cluj exit door, Celtic does not appear to be his next destination. The club president said:
"No, Celtic have not contacted us at all.
"We haven't been contacted by any agent or anyone from the club on their behalf. If they had, I would know about it."
So, it appears that the rumours that had suggested that Celtic were the favourites to sign Munteanu were either speculative or completely wide of the mark. The Romanian international looks to be on the verge of a move away but the Hoops have not even made contact yet.
To be fair, Munteanu has scored just three goals so far this season. His form has dropped off completely and it is easy to understand why Celtic might no longer want to sign him.