Celtic want Marcelo Saracchi deal – but there’s one obvious problem

Robin Bairner

• 7 Mar 2026 13:22 GMT
• 3 min read

Analysis

Celtic manager Martin O’Neill called Marcelo Saracchi a ‘strange character’ but still believes the Glasgow giants should seek to make the Uruguayan’s loan deal permanent.

Marcelo Tejera, the agent of Saracchi, has already confirmed that talks are underway for the 27-year-old, who has featured 19 times for the Parkhead club, despite largely playing a backup role to Kieran Tierney after hamstring issues kept him out for two months.

It’s a deal that Celtic don’t need to force through, and should only be completed on their terms.

Current ETV

Marcelo Saracchi

D (L)

Celtic

Marcelo Saracchi

D (L)

Celtic

€1.2M

ETV Range

€1.0M - €1.5M

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Saracchi to Celtic transfer talks confirmed by agent

Tejera told Carve Deportiva’s 'Minuto 1' program: “Celtic are delighted with him.

“I even have a meeting tomorrow [Friday] with the general manager of Celtic because they want to start moving forward with the purchase. And we’ll see between now and the end of the loan if it’s good for him to stay there.

“There are possibilities of going to a team in England that contacted me or another team in Brazil.”

O’Neill backs permanent deal

O’Neill, though, has already pointed out a major obstacle for Saracchi’s stay at Celtic: the form of Tierney.

“Kieran is playing brilliantly for us at this moment – back to the Kieran Arsenal ended up buying,” he said.

Nevertheless, the Celtic boss does see this as a deal worth doing.

“I think the board should try,” he said. “He’s doing really well. But this little lad scored the goal for us. He’s a strange character.

“I’ve called him Manuel from Fawlty Towers because he hasn’t a clue what I’m saying to him!

“He just says ‘Yes’ to everything! But I think the club should be looking at something like that.”

Celtic can set the terms for Saracchi deal

Saracchi has been a sound backup option to Tierney at Celtic, but he has not made himself an indispensable figure at the Parkhead club.

While the Hoops’ regular left-back may be prone to injury, his form has been excellent. According to SciSports, he has been the best left-back in the Premiership this season – and by a distance.

Saracchi vs Tierney: Premiership overall performance (2025/26)

This gives Celtic power in transfer negotiations; a deal should only be made if the price suits the club.

FootballTransfers’ Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) for Saracchi sits at €1.2m and it is around this figure that the club should be targeting a deal.

With Celtic surely programmed for a significant summer rebuild, splashing big money on a backup left-back will not be on the agenda, so while Saracchi has been a perfectly functional option, he is not a player who will define the club’s future.