Marcelo Saracchi remains a target for Celtic, even though talks over a permanent transfer are understood to have slowed in recent weeks.
The Uruguayan full-back impressed during his loan spell at the Hoops, helping the Scottish champions secure a Premiership and Scottish Cup double during his time in Glasgow.
Celtic are still interested in retaining the 28-year-old, but an agreement with parent club Boca Juniors has yet to be finalised.
Saracchi is expected to head back to Argentina ahead of the World Cup, with the defender hopeful of earning a place in Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay squad for the tournament.
However, his future at Boca appears uncertain despite returning from Scotland this summer.
Boca currently view Lautaro Blanco as their preferred option at left-back, while Malcom Braida has also provided cover in the role after featuring on the opposite flank.
The Buenos Aires side must also balance restrictions surrounding non-Argentine registrations, leaving Saracchi’s status unresolved.
Although the defender still has a contract running until 2027, Celtic are not expected to face an excessive transfer fee if negotiations restart.
Argentinian outlet Bolavip claim Boca would be open to selling Saracchi, though discussions with Celtic have yet to move forward.
Saracchi featured 26 times for Celtic last season and earned praise from Martin O’Neill following the dramatic final-day 3-1 victory against Hearts.
The former RB Leipzig defender is due to report back for Boca’s pre-season training camp at the Ezeiza complex on June 30, although uncertainty continues to surround where he will be playing his football next season.
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1 Comment
There is so many moving parts involved, in trying to make Saracchi a permanent signing?
Don’t see any potential fee being that much of a problem?
The potential main problem is going to be, what contract are we prepared to pay, for a 28 year old, back up full back, without any real sell on value? Especially when Saracchi will be looking for his last big contract available to himself, and prepared to continue in the back up role to Tierney?
And all of this without a manager in place, to even discuss what playing time will be available for himself, along with how he intends Saracchi to play his role within our team?
Personally believe Saracchi would be a great signing, and already proved himself as a very decent player imo?
I don’t believe that every player that we are looking to bring into our club. Has to have a sell on value, in order to protect our player trading model, hence making ourselves self sufficient within the transfer market. And European football only used as a bonus making exercise, more so than one with real ambitions upon the European footballing stage imo?
Saracchi is only 1 of numerous players, that we will find ourselves in, especially with the quality factor involved? As that’s a huge factor for ourselves, it also means that the player involved, can play the waiting game and assess all his opportunities that may come his way?
Don’t believe that over the course of the summer, we can continue with playing the waiting game, on players and there agents quite prepared to do so imo?
Personally believe that Saracchi and Julian would be fantastic additions to our squad, with a real sign of intent being shown by our club, within the squad building process.
Admittedly such deals might not be so simple to conclude, but don’t believe that they are impossible either imo?
The potential main stumbling block, could well be, if the board are prepared to loosen the strangle hold, upon this precious player trading model of there’s?
That will continue to have a high turn around in players each summer, without getting stability within a playing squad to progress within European football, with a hit and miss approach taken. But the bonus system will remain strong within the current structure the footballing department seems to operate under imo?