Flavius Daniliuc to Celtic transfer pathway cleared by RB Salzburg as release clause emerges

Celtic's hopes of landing reported target Flavius Daniliuc have been boosted after RB Salzburg decided not to trigger an option-to-buy clause.

The Austrian defender, 23, spent the second part of last season back in his homeland with Salzburg and racked up 12 appearances. Capped three times by his country, it was expected that the Austrian Bundesliga champions would attempt to sign him on a permanent basis this summer.

But it's emerged that Salzburg have decided not to exercise the purchase option, although a move to the Red Bull Arena could still happen later down the line as new manager Pepijn Lijnders weighs up his options.

For now, though, Daniliuc will return to parent club Salernitana for pre-season but the relegated Serie A side are keen to offload him on a permanent deal as they look to raise funds for new signings.

The Italians paid £4million to sign the former Bayern Munich youth prodigy from Nice in 2022 and reports suggest that's the release clause in his contract following Salernitana's demotion to Italy's second-tier. That price is well within Celtic's budget, although a centre-back is not a priority area with Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Maik Nawrocki, Stephen Welsh, Gustaf Lagerbielke and Yoki Kobayashi all currently on the books.

However, the latter two have been deemed surplus to requirements by Brendan Rodgers and will be allowed to leave this summer.