Celtic set to lose out on transfer target as Ligue 1 return for star means Hoops remain light in key area
Hoops search for a left fullback continues
Celtic are set to miss out on another transfer target in Dutch defender Mitchel Bakker as he’s on the verge of completing his loan move from Serie A side Atalanta to French giants Marseille.
The Hoops initially expressed interest in the defender in 2019 after he came through the academy at Ajax. Bakker, 26, instead went to current Champions League holders Paris Saint Germain, while Celtic ended up with flop full back Boli Bolingoli instead. Six years on, interest has re-emerged given the Hoops’ current problems at full back.
Marcelo Saracchi was the popular choice among supporters to be second choice to Kieran Tierney at left back again after the Uruguayan’s successful loan switch from Boca Juniors last season. Despite the player expressing he was hoping for a permanent deal in the summer, talks collapsed as they’re now forced to look elsewhere.
Celtic to lose on target despite ‘reignited interest’
According to the Daily Record: “Celtic are said to have reignited their interest in Dutch wing-back Mitchel Bakker. However, the out of favour Atalanta star could now be on his way to Ligue 1. Reports in France claim the 26-year-old is close to joining Marseille, having previously turned out for both Lille and Paris Saint-Germain.”
Since Bakker’s original Celtic snub, he’s went onto feature Bayer Leverkusen and was part of the side that faced Celtic in the 2021 Europa League. The former Netherlands Under-21 international then won the competition against his former club for Atalanta in 2023. He was involved in Ronald Koeman’s 39-man Dutch squad for the 2026 World Cup but just missed out on the final cut.
Where are Celtic looking now for options at left back?
The Saracchi situation sparked fury among supporters against the board, given the success of the 28-year old, who played a big part in Daizen Maeda’s title winning goal for Celtic on the final day back in May. Around the time of the collapsed Saracchi talks, the Hoops also missed out on fan favourite Kelechi Iheanacho, who also was looking for a Parkhead return.
Another former Celt Greg Taylor has recently claimed he’d be open to a move back to Glasgow, having fallen out of favour at current club PAOK. Also in the Greek Super League is former Hearts defender James Penrice, who Celtic are monitoring at AEK Athens. Dundee United’s Will Ferry also remains a potential candidate for Tierney’s backup after a strong season at Tannadice.