Celtic have officially opened talks to sign Levante left-back Marcelo Saracchi, sources have told GIVEMESPORT, as the Scottish champions look to bolster their defensive options ahead of a massive upcoming campaign.
The 25-year-old defender is currently spending time away from Spain on a loan spell at Uruguayan side Club Atlético Peñarol, but he is due to return to his parent club this summer. Saracchi is an experienced Uruguay international who has already earned four caps for his country since making his senior international debut back in 2018.
Celtic are actively in the market for a new left-back this summer, with current first-choice option Greg Taylor’s contract running down. Ange Postecoglou’s side have been long-term admirers of Saracchi for some time now and are stepping up their interest with official talks now firmly underway between the parties.
The Scottish champions face stiff competition from a number of clubs in Spain and Italy for Saracchi’s signature, but they remain hopeful of getting a deal over the line. Celtic have already started planning extensively for next season with a view to strengthening their squad ahead of their highly anticipated return to the Champions League group stages.
Saracchi originally started his professional career with Danubio in his homeland of Uruguay before securing a high-profile moving to River Plate in Argentina, where he famously won the prestigious Copa Libertadores in 2018. His highly impressive performances in Argentina quickly earned him a major move to the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig.
However, he unfortunately struggled for consistent game time during his spell in Germany and was subsequently loaned out to Turkish giants Galatasaray before eventually joining Spanish side Levante on a permanent contract in 2021.
Since joining Levante, Saracchi has made a total of 34 appearances for the Spanish side, scoring one goal along the way. He joined Peñarol on a season-long loan deal last summer and has thoroughly impressed since returning to play back in his native Uruguay.
Celtic are now looking to bring him to Glasgow as they aim to build on a highly successful season that saw them win the Scottish Premiership title. The Hoops are also actively in the transfer market for a new goalkeeper, a central midfielder, and a striker as Postecoglou looks to put his stamp on the squad ahead of another testing Champions League campaign.
Saracchi would provide direct, high-quality competition for Taylor and would add significant depth to Celtic’s defensive choices. His extensive previous experience in European football and at the international level would undoubtedly be a valuable asset for the Scottish champions as they transition to the highest level of club competition.
The left-back is understood to be very open to a move to Celtic Park, with the alluring prospect of playing Champions League football acting as a major attraction for the player. Negotiations are still at a relatively early stage, but there is underlying optimism that a successful deal can be struck in the coming weeks.
Celtic are expected to be incredibly busy in the summer transfer window as they look to build a robust squad capable of competing on multiple fronts next season. The potential arrival of Saracchi would represent a clear statement of intent from the traditions of the Scottish champions as they aim to continue their domestic dominance and make a lasting impact in Europe.
