Marcelo Saracchi has been brilliant for Celtic. He was so class in the final run of games that Martin O'Neill singled him out for praise after the Hoops won the Scottish Premiership title, and it's clear that the club want to keep him.
That looked likely. Talks were reportedly ongoing over a permanent move for the left back; however, there is a concerning update.
According to Bolavip, a publication based in Argentina, discussions between Celtic and Boca Juniors have stalled. He is under contract to them until December 2027, and it is currently expected that he will report to pre-season in the country.
However, it is said that the club are keen to get him off their books. It would free up a foreign player slot, which could be crucial for them in the upcoming transfer window. They would also make some money from his sale after getting him on a free transfer just three years ago.
That leaves things up to the imagination as to why the deal hasn't gotten over the line, but we can take a guess. It is likely that the Hoops haven't met Boca's valuation, but fingers crossed that won't be a problem for long. We know that Celtic have the money to spend, so hopefully, they'll part with a decent fee for a player who has already proven he is worth the cash.
Concerning signs for the summer transfer window
It's very concerning heading into the summer transfer window that we can't get one of the easiest deals ever over the line. Saracchi seems keen to come to Glasgow, and Boca are interested in selling, so why have talks stalled?
If it really is a valuation issue like it is rumoured to be, that's bad. Rivals Rangers are already moving on players they have identified, with Hearts captain Lawrence Shankland set to be announced soon. Considering the Gers are chasing numerous Celtic targets, it could be bad news for us, as they seem to be able to move faster than the Hoops.
Hopefully, it won't be an issue, but as things stand, it's not looking good. There is still plenty of time to go, but the Celts need to start bringing in players sooner rather than later. Before that can happen, we need a new manager, but according to reports, we don't even have a candidate lined up.
This is work that should have been ongoing for months, and yet here we are. Are Celtic being set up for another window of disappointment?
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