Celtic made an offer for £3 million forward Billel Omrani a year ago according to Cluj’s general manager Bogdan Mara, in quotes reported by the Daily Record.
Last week, Alaves ace Patrick Twumasi told 442GH that Brendan Rodgers tried to entice him to Parkhead after he scored twice in Glasgow during a thrilling Champions League qualifying clash against Astana in 2017.
After Omrani took a leaf out of Twumasi’s book in August, netting a clinical brace as Cluj dumped Celtic out of Europe’s premiere club competition before it even got going, it seems that the Scottish Premiership giants made a move for another of their nemeses.
Celtic were heavily linked with the former France U19 international and it seems there was more to this than idle speculation.
“We had discussions with several clubs and we had offers. Celtic made an offer and so did a club in England,” Mara said of Omrani, Romanian Footballer of the Year in 2019.
“But when the offers came in, we needed him for European football and we still need him. I think our asking price of £3 million is a fair price and several clubs remain interested.
“I think once football restarts, those clubs who were interested will return to us. He is an excellent player who has enjoyed an extraordinary season both at home and in Europe.”
Omrani has 13 goals and four assists to his name this season, but whether Celtic renew their interest remains to be seen.
Odsonne Edouard looks likely to depart, meaning Neil Lennon’s side may be forced to enter the market in order to replace a 27-goal talisman.
Omrani, like Edouard, is an explosive and technically-gifted forward who can create goals as well as score them. Tailor-made for Lennonball, then.
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