Celtic need to step up their transfer business with merely a week left before the start of the new season. It feels like the summer break has flown by, largely due to the Club World Cup, but that is no excuse for going into the campaign weaker than the previous one, which is exactly what the Hoops are right now. The 5-1 defeat against Ajax in the Como Cup is just proof of that.
Striker is one area where Celtic need to strengthen. Adam Idah simply does not look like someone who will be a game-changer for the Hoops on a consistent basis at the highest level. Of course, we would want to be proven wrong. On the other hand, it is pretty likely that Daizen Maeda will find himself back on the wing following Jota's long-term injury, which will keep him out for the rest of the year.
Celtic have signed Callum Osmand and Shin Yamada this summer. But neither of them looks like strikers who can come in and take the starting spot.
Interestingly, recently reports emerged that Celtic had put in a €8 million offer for Louis Munteanu of CFR Cluj. That is a significant fee for the Hoops, even though it is believed to have been rejected. But if you were hoping that the club would go in with a second one, there is some bad news.
'Advanced negotiations' - Update on striker after Celtic bid
As reported by Spotmedia, Rennes are in advanced negotiations for Munteanu's signature, but there are also other teams interested in him. Real Mallorca and FC Sevilla are also in the race to sign him, while the French club are ready to pay a €12 million fee to sign him.
So, it is safe to say that there is some heavy competition to sign Munteanu this summer. It is unlikely that Celtic will be able to deal with the financial muscle of those clubs.
So, Celtic might need to move their sights elsewhere. That has been the story of the summer so far, seeing one target after another end up elsewhere.