Celtic are set for talks to sign Marcelo Saracchi permanently, according to a report.
The permanent future of Martin O’Neill may still be unknown, but preparation is already underway for what is sure to be a busy summer transfer window.
Signed on an initial loan from Boca Juniors with no option to buy, Saracchi has been a commendable back-up to Kieran Tierney this season.
It seems that a permanent contract in Glasgow is his if he wants it.
Stick or twist… who are you starting at left-back for the rest of the season?
Celtic ‘intend’ to sign Marcelo Saracchi permanently
According to Argentine journalist German Garcia Grova of TyC Sports, Celtic “intend to permanently acquire” the left-back.
There will reportedly be a meeting in Scotland in a fortnight to “work on the negotiation.”
READ MORE: Martin O’Neill drops key Daizen Maeda contract claim that exposes Celtic risk
There will be 18 months remaining on Saracchi’s Boca contract by the time his loan expires at the end of June.
He faces a battle to be named in Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay squad for the World Cup. Currently, he is behind Mathias Olivera, Joaquin Piquerez and Matias Vina in the pecking order.
Boca paid a £1.6 million fee to bring Saracchi to La Bombonera in August 2023. He has also played for RB Leipzig, Galatasaray and River Plate.
He has made 23 appearances this season, around half of which have been from the start. If it weren’t for injury, he likely would’ve made much more.
Saracchi is out of favour at Boca, after falling behind Lautaro Blanco in the pecking order before being banished from the squad after the Club World Cup.
He is reportedly also drawing interest from Racing Club in Argentina, as well as an unnamed Premier League club.
He is one of six players currently on loan at Celtic.
Would you take Marcelo Saracchi at Celtic permanently?
Marcelo Saracchi’s agent’s story on Martin O’Neill
Speaking on Carve Deportiva, Marcelo Tejera (the agent of Saracchi) told a great story about Martin O’Neill last month.
He said: “He came in [to Celtic], the team is doing very well, the coach is… crazy about him. There is a very interesting anecdote…
“Good news from the coach, Martin O’Neill, who is historic. In the first match I visited, he didn’t know the [team]…
“So he made him a starter, and at half-time he asked: ‘Who are you? Who are you that you play so well and I don’t know you?’
“Imagine, in the first match! And the other day, against Stuttgart, it was half-time and he shook his hand in front of the whole group, congratulating him.
“I was explaining to Saracchi: ‘this is not normal, that in England, that a coach of Martin O’Neill’s level does this with a player.”
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