Celtic 'ready to finalise' first summer signing as seven-figure transfer lined up for double winner
Permanent deal on cards for loanee who impressed last season
Celtic are preparing to make Marcelo Saracchi their first signing of the summer following his successful loan spell, according to a report.
The Uruguayan left-back won a Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup double with the Parkhead club while on a season-long loan from South American giants Boca Juniors last term.
The 28-year-old was utilised primarily as back up to Kieran Tierney, making 27 appearances across the campaign including a number of notable contributions from the bench, despite missing two months with a hamstring injury.
Saracchi is now being lined up for a return on a permanent transfer with the Daily Record claiming that Celtic are 'ready to finalise' the deal having already held premilinary discussions with his representatives.
Boca are said to have set a £2million asking price for Saracchi after informing the defender that he is not part of the first-team plans under new head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena.
With Tierney currently on World Cup duty with Scotland, manager Martin O'Neill is reportedly keen to have Saracchi on board when the squad return for the start of pre-season training on Friday.
It is claimed that the former RB Leipzig and Galatasary man also has interest from the MLS and Turkey, but is keen on a return to Celtic providing he has assurances over his game time.
Celtic are facing a major summer rebuild under O'Neill as they prepare for the Champions League play-offs amid major interest in their star players.
Motherwell midfielder Elijah Just, who scored a double for New Zealand against Iran at the World Cup, and Qarabag striker Camilo Duran, who scored 15 goals last season, are also on Celtic's transfer radar. Preliminary talks have also been held for the 20-year-old American winger Cole Campbell from Borussia Dortmund, who spent last season on loan at Hoffenheim.
A new goalkeeper is also required following Kasper Schmeichel's official retirement, while the midfield could also need reinforced amid possible departures for Reo Hatate, Benjamin Nygren and Arne Engels.
Strong rumours in Japan have linked Hatate with a return to the J1 League to play for Kashima Antlers while Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with Nygren. Engels has already been the subject of a failed bid from Nottingham Forest amid interest from other clubs in England, Germany and Italy.
Striker Daizen Maeda, currently at the World Cup with Japan, is another possible departure after Celtic turned down an approach from German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg last summer.
Winger Luis Palma has already departed after completing a permanent £3.5 million move to Polish side Lech Poznań following a successful season-long loan with the Polish club. Defender Stephen Welsh has also departed the club permanently after Celtic agreed to terminate his contract so he could join Swansea City.
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