Celtic are facing strong competition to sign Marcelo Saracchi in the summer, according to a report.
Despite a lack of certainty over who will be in the Celtic Park dugout next season, the Hoops are already being linked with a wide range of players for next season.
Saracchi is, of course, a known quantity. He has made 15 appearances since moving to Glasgow on loan from Boca Juniors, mostly performing positively.
According to The Celtic Way, Celtic are now facing competition from ‘Brazil and elsewhere in Europe’ to secure the defender’s signature.
Saracchi is expected to leave Boca Juniors, either way.
Would you take Marcelo Saracchi at Celtic permanently?
Celtic face competition for Marcelo Saracchi
Ex-Celtic midfielder Peter Grant thinks that, despite widely being expected to join as back-up to Kieran Tierney, Saracchi can offer Celtic something more.
After Celtic’s dramatic win over Dundee, he said on the Go Radio Football Show: “I’ll tell you what… Saracchi came on, and I think that changed the game for Celtic.
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“And no disrespect to Kieran – [Saracchi] started driving. When Celtic needed people to drive, he was driving.
“He looked like [he had] that energy. And before he got injured [in November], I thought he was outstanding, and [that] he was going to make it very difficult for Kieran.
“You know I’m a big supporter of Kieran Tierney, but I thought Saracchi lifted the team. He gets forward, he delivers into the box, he passes forward…
“He’s a big player for Celtic now. He’s been excellent any time I’ve seen him. He brings something to the team that sparks them.
“And I thought he done that against Dundee. I don’t think he gets much credit for that substitution, because [he’s] a left-back.
“I genuinely seen in that game: he’s giving us a wee spark, lifting the players around about him, lifted the supporters. A little bit of enthusiasm, that’s all they want.”
Kieran Tierney has been one of Celtic’s best players this season…
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Celtic’s interest in the South American market
Saracchi is contracted until the end of 2027 at Boca, where he was publicly slated both before and after joining Celtic. He has also played for River Plate, RB Leipzig and Galatasaray.
The performances of fellow ex-Celtic left-back Alexandro Bernabei have impressed since he moved to Brazilian giants Internacional.
Celtic’s own interest in Latin American talent has already been reported multiple times since the January window, most recently with Mexican striker Armando Gonzalez.
Fellow Mexican striker Ali Avila is reportedly of interest to Celtic, with the influence of South America-based Celtic scout Mark Cooper.
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