Celtic Intensifies Transfer Efforts for Smajlovic and Saracchi

Celtic and Olympiacos have had bids of £3.5m for centre-back Zinedin Smajlovic rejected by Sandefjord, who are holding out for closer to £4.3m for the 22-year-old. Meanwhile, Celtic is gearing up to intensify talks with Boca Juniors regarding a permanent deal for Marcelo Saracchi. The 28-year-old left-back has been informed by head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena that he is not in the club's plans following his loan spell with the Scottish champions.

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Additionally, reported Celtic target Soufiane El-Faouzi is on the verge of signing a new contract with Schalke that will keep him at the club until 2030, reportedly earning him an annual salary of nearly £1m. Go Ahead Eagles technical director Marc van Hintum has indicated they will not block Jakob Breum's potential departure if a suitable offer for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder, valued at £4m, is received. Celtic will welcome back around 21 players for initial pre-season training on Friday, with several players involved in the World Cup.