Celtic at risk of losing Marcelo Saracchi as new pressure emerges to tie up deal
Celtic face a growing pressure to complete the permanent signing of Marcelo Saracchi after his successful loan spell this season.
Reports emerged on Friday that the left-back is keen on a return to Parkhead, and Boca Juniors are willing to facilitate a departure for less than £2million.
Martin O’Neill rates the 28-year-old highly, but the club have been told they cannot wait around long to secure the signing.
Now, multiple new clubs have entered the race with sides in Canada and the USA monitoring the situation this summer.
The Uruguay international played 19 times in the Scottish Premiership this season as he helped the club win a domestic double.
His performance off the bench against Hearts on the final day drew particular praise from O’Neill, as they beat their title rivals 3-1 at Celtic Park.
Celtic running out of time to complete Marcelo Saracchi swoop
It had previously been reported that Celtic were holding off their transfer business until a manager had been appointed.
Now that O’Neill has been confirmed in the dugout for the 2026-27 campaign, the Hoops must quickly act in the market before they are left behind.
Signing Saracchi on a permanent basis has to be a priority for the Hoops, as few full-backs of his quality would be prepared to be a back-up for another campaign.
The Daily Record’s reported price tag below £2m is also a bargain, and Celtic simply cannot afford to wait around.
If Pablo Oliveira is right, and MLS sides are also showing interest, paying Boca Juniors asking price should be a matter of urgency at the club.
Who else are Celtic looking to sign?
Football Insider exclusively revealed that Celtic are also chasing goalkeeper Nikolas Polster, who is interested in a move to the Old Firm club.
Austrian side Wolfsberger are willing to cash in on the 23-year-old gloveman this summer, and he could be available for £1.75m.
Celtic are in need of a new goalkeeper this summer after Kasper Schmeichel retired at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
Polster kept eight clean sheets from 29 games in the Austrian Bundesliga this term, and he also has interest from Wolves on the table ahead of the upcoming transfer window.