Celtic are reportedly still yet to make fresh contact over bringing Marcelo Saracchi back to the club.
The defender, who has had plenty of interest in Argentina, appears to now be prioritising a move to Europe.
Boca Juniors have bombed Saracchi out of training and told him to find a new club, and it has been widely reported that his preference would be to return to Celtic.
However, 46 days since the end of the season, the chances of the club facilitating this are fading.
🤦♂️ Still no sign of an agreement for either of these two Celtic favourites to stay…
The season ended on May 23rd 🗓️
Marcelo Saracchi prefers European move over Independiente
CeltsAreHere report that, despite reports of interest from Independiente, he is unlikely to join the Argentine club.
As the wait for further contact from Celtic goes on, a move to elsewhere in Europe looks the most likely.
READ MORE: Three things you may have missed in Celtic’s pre-season curtain-raiser vs Shelbourne
Well-liked by Martin O’Neill, Saracchi made 27 appearances across the season, a figure that undoubtedly would’ve been higher had it not been for injury.
Many in the Parkhead support would be in favour of the move becoming permanent, but this is yet to be put into action.
It’s a similar situation to that of Kelechi Iheanacho, who was also a hugely popular figure last season but is also seeing his chances of a return fade.
Bursaspor are currently pushing for Iheanacho, though his preference is also reportedly a return to Glasgow.
Saracchi also has interest in Turkey, where newly-promoted Super Lig side Corum FK reportedly targeting him as a marquee signing.
The Uruguayan has history in Turkey; he previously spent time on loan at Galatasaray, where he missed out on the league title by a goal.
✅ First pre-season friendly ticked off…
What did we make of the performance?
Martin O’Neill has previously urged Celtic to sign Marcelo Saracchi
Speaking back in February, long before the prospect of remaining as manager a consideration, O’Neill urged Celtic to sign Saracchi permanently.
He said: “Yeah, I think they will [sign him]. I think they should do.
“If you’re asking me, I think Tierney’s playing brilliantly for us at this moment. Brilliantly. Back to the Kieran Tierney that Arsenal ended up buying. So he’s doing really well. He’s back to his very best.
“But Saracchi scored the goal for us [against Livingston]. He’s a strange wee character. He hasn’t a clue what I’m saying to him. Not a clue! I mean, I could be saying anything to him, and he would still say yes to it.
“I think the club should be looking at something like that.”
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