Celtic FC Not Approached for Marcelo Saracchi Transfer – Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• Marcelo Saracchi’s agent, Marcelo Tejera, has stated that Celtic have never approached him regarding a permanent signing of his client
• The Uruguayan left-back made 27 appearances on loan at Parkhead last season and impressed enough for Celtic to want him permanently
• Saracchi’s current club, Boca Juniors, are reportedly keen to sell the 28-year-old, with a £2 million price tag rumoured
• This led to widespread speculation that Celtic (the Hoops) were poised to make a move for the defender
• Tejera confirmed: “The first thing that needs to happen is for the club’s CEO to tell me of their interest in the player. And that never happened”
• Celtic are in need of a deputy left-back for Kieran Tierney heading into the new season
• Many fans believed Saracchi was the ideal candidate following his stint in Glasgow
• Martin O’Neill, now the permanent manager at Celtic, has been described as a fan of the Uruguayan international
• Despite this, Saracchi has returned to Boca Juniors as his loan spell expires on 30 June 2026
• New reports indicate Celtic are now set to open talks with Boca over a permanent deal, suggesting the situation may be evolving

Celtic FC (Glasgow Express) June 22, 2026 – Celtic have not formally approached Marcelo Saracchi’s agent about signing the Uruguayan left-back permanently, despite strong interest following his loan spell at Parkhead last season. Saracchi’s agent, Marcelo Tejera, directly addressed the speculation in an interview with Celts Are Here, stating that the club’s CEO never communicated any interest to him.

“As reported by the reporter at Celts Are Here, Tejera said: ‘The first thing that needs to happen is for the club’s CEO to tell me of their interest in the player. And that never happened’”.

This statement comes amid widespread fan and media belief that Celtic were poised to secure Saracchi’s permanent transfer, especially after he made 27 appearances on loan from Boca Juniors and impressed manager Martin O’Neill, who is now the permanent head coach at Celtic.

Why Did Saracchi’s Agent Say Celtic Never Approached Him?

The agent’s clarification is aimed at correcting a growing narrative that Celtic were close to finalising a deal. According to Tejera, the confusion may have arisen because Boca Juniors are keen to move the 28-year-old on, with a £2 million price tag reportedly attached.

As reported by Sky Sports News, Celtic signed Saracchi on a season-long loan in August 2025 as their ninth summer addition, but the deal included no option to buy. Despite this, the Uruguayan’s performances led interim manager Martin O’Neill to publicly urge Celtic to buy him in February 2026.

O’Neill stated:

“I would like to see us bring Marcelo in permanently,”

according to BBC Sport.

Yet, despite O’Neill’s support and fan enthusiasm, no formal offer or approach was made to Saracchi’s camp before his loan expired.

Has Celtic’s Position Changed After the Agent’s Statement?

While Tejera’s statement confirms no approach was made up to now, fresh reports suggest Celtic may be moving to open talks very soon.

According to Videocelts, published on June 20, 2026:

“Celtic are set to open talks with Boca Juniors over a permanent deal for Marcelo Saracchi. Record Sport understands the Hoops have held preliminary discussions with Saracchi’s camp. And now Parkhead chiefs are ready to finalise a move that could see Saracchi become the first signing of the summer”.

Similarly, BBC Sport on June 22, 2026 reported:

“Celtic is preparing to ramp up discussions with Boca Juniors regarding a permanent transfer for Marcelo Saracchi. The 28-year-old left-back has been informed he is not included in Boca’s future plans following his loan to the Scottish club”.

This appears to indicate that while no formal approach was made before the agent’s statement, Celtic are now preparing to move.

What Is Boca Juniors’ Stance on Saracchi’s Transfer?

Boca Juniors have confirmed that Saracchi is not part of their future plans. As reported by Argentine publication Planetabj, quoted in a Yahoo Sports article on May 27, 2026:

“Boca Juniors is still open to a permanent transfer this summer”.

Saracchi’s loan spell at Celtic is set to conclude on 30 June 2026, and he has already returned to Boca, as confirmed on Reddit by user Seba Ongarelli on May 26, 2026:

“Marcelo Saracchi has returned to Boca Juniors. His agent has confirmed Celtic never offered him a permanent transfer deal”.

The rumoured £2 million fee remains a key factor. Yahoo Sports described the potential deal as a “€2m bargain” for Celtic, given Saracchi’s performances and age.

Why Is Celtic Needing a Deputy Left-Back for Kieran Tierney?

Celtic’s squad planning for the new season highlights a clear need for cover at left-back. Kieran Tierney is the club’s primary left-back, but the team lacks a reliable deputy.

Saracchi, with his 27 appearances last season and Uruguayan international experience, was widely seen by fans as the ideal candidate. His pace, defensive positioning, and ability to support attacks made him a strong fit for Celtic’s style under Martin O’Neill.

O’Neill’s public endorsement of Saracchi further strengthened the belief that a deal would be explored. As reported by BBC Sport, O’Neill not only urged Celtic to buy Saracchi but also quizzed Motherwell’s Tawanda Maswanhise about reported Old Firm interest, showing his active involvement in left-back recruitment.

What Do Celtic Fans Believe About Saracchi’s Potential Return?

Celtic fans remain divided. Many believe Saracchi is the perfect signing given his previous success at Parkhead, while others are frustrated that no formal approach was made before his loan expired.

The agent’s statement has intensified discussions on fan forums, with some questioning the club’s recruitment strategy.

However, the emerging reports that Celtic are now preparing to open talks have renewed optimism among supporters that Saracchi could still become the first summer signing.

Background: How Did This Development Around Marcelo Saracchi and Celtic Arise?

The development stems from Saracchi’s loan spell at Celtic during the 2025–2026 season. Signed in August 2025 as Celtic’s ninth summer addition, Saracchi made 27 appearances and quickly became a fan favourite due to his consistent performances.

Interim manager Martin O’Neill, who later became the permanent manager, publicly praised Saracchi and urged the club to buy him permanently in February 2026.

This public support, combined with Saracchi’s strong performances, led to widespread media and fan speculation that Celtic were close to agreeing a permanent deal.

Boca Juniors, Saracchi’s parent club, were reported to be keen on selling the 28-year-old, with a £2 million fee rumoured. This created the impression that a deal was imminent, especially as O’Neill was known to favour the Uruguayan.

However, despite all this, no formal approach was made to Saracchi’s agent before the loan expired on 30 June 2026. Saracchi returned to Boca, and his agent, Marcelo Tejera, publicly clarified that Celtic’s CEO never communicated interest, leading to the current confusion and correction of the narrative.

Now, fresh reports suggest Celtic are reversing this position and preparing to open talks, indicating the situation is still evolving.

Prediction: How Could This Development Affect Celtic Fans, the Squad, and the Cluster of Left-Back Recruitment?

If Celtic proceed with talks and secure Saracchi permanently, the impact on the squad and fans will be significant.

For the squad, Saracchi would provide immediate, reliable cover for Kieran Tierney, addressing a long-standing weakness.

His experience, age (28), and proven performances in Glasgow make him a low-risk, high-value signing at a rumoured £2 million.

For Celtic fans, securing Saracchi would validate O’Neill’s recruitment vision and restore confidence in the club’s ability to act decisively after the earlier silence. It would also silence critics who questioned why no approach was made before the loan expired.

However, if Celtic fail to secure Saracchi, the club will need to find an alternative deputy left-back quickly. This could delay squad planning and force O’Neill to recruit later in the window, potentially at a higher cost or with less proven players.

The evolving nature of this story—where initial silence is followed by renewed talks—also highlights the complexity of modern transfer negotiations, where public statements, agent positions, and club intentions can shift rapidly. For Celtic, resolving this cleanly and quickly will be crucial to maintaining momentum ahead of the new season.