Celtic Plotting Loan Move For Boca Juniors Ace: Why Rodgers Should Table An Improved Offer | OneFootball

If a recent transfer update from the Argentine reporter César Luis Merlo (as cited by SunSport) is believed to be true, Celtic are in talks with Boca Juniors for their left fullback Marcelo Saracchi. The Scottish champions have tabled a loan offer with an option to buy, but they may need to increase the proposed fee to finalise the deal in due time.

The 27-year-old Uruguay international progressed through the academy ranks of Progreso Paysandú and Danubio back in his homeland before securing a senior status for the latter in the top tier of the Uruguayan league pyramid. River Plate, the other Argentine heavyweights, snapped him up for €2m in the summer of 2017, but he plied his trade in Europe next year when German giants RB Leipzig secured his services for €12m.

However, the lack of minutes in the Bundesliga saw him leave for Galatasaray on loan. Leipzig released Saracchi in January 2022, and Levante signed him on a Bosman contract a few weeks later. Despite being involved more frequently in the Spanish second division, he chose to return to Argentina, this time with Boca Juniors, in a €1.8m transfer.

Meanwhile, the Xeneize star has featured regularly over the past two years, with 4 goals and 5 assists in 52 appearances across competitions. His composure and the balance between defence and attack must have impressed the Celtic scouts, thus leading to a formal approach ahead of a potential summer transfer.

Why Celtic Are Eyeing Another Left Fullback

The Hoops are having a quiet summer, which has led to fans’ frustration following a dreadful scoreless draw against the minnows Kairat Almaty in the first leg of the Champions League playoff. The focus must be on securing a spot in the main draw by scripting a victory in Kazakhstan; however, the necessity of reinforcements can’t be undermined, given their busy schedule across domestic and European competitions.

Although Greg Taylor ran his contract down to walk away from Parkhead, Celtic restored parity down the left by bringing back Kieran Tierney on a free transfer. But the Scotsman has struggled to finish games so far this season, whereas Hayato Inamura, who had an impressive pre-season, could be loaned out despite being handed a rare start against Livingston.

Brendan Rodgers has shifted Liam Scales on the left after taking Tierney off. Nevertheless, the Irishman is primarily viewed as a first-team centre-half alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers. They had veteran Jeffrey Schlupp for the second half of the 2024-25 season, but they decided not to retain him, regardless of his availability as a free agent. Saracchi’s experience both in South America and Europe should see him challenge Tierney for the starting spot.