Celtic look set to miss out on a long-admired defensive target once again, with the player now on the verge of a loan move from Serie A to one of France’s biggest clubs. The development leaves the Scottish champions still light in a position that has become a clear priority this summer, adding further pressure on the recruitment team as the new season approaches.
The Hoops first showed serious interest in the Dutch defender back in 2019 while he was progressing through the academy at Ajax. A move to Glasgow never materialised. Instead, he joined Paris Saint-Germain, while Celtic turned to Boli Bolingoli as an alternative.
That signing quickly became one of the more disappointing full-back acquisitions of recent years. Six years on, interest has resurfaced amid ongoing concerns about depth behind Kieran Tierney at left-back.
Interest reignited, but Marseille move closer
According to reports in both France and Scotland, Celtic had rekindled their interest in the 26-year-old, who has found himself out of favour at Atalanta this season. However, Marseille appear to be advancing rapidly to secure him on loan.
The player already has previous experience in Ligue 1 with Lille and PSG, making a return to French football a logical next step for a defender seeking regular minutes.
Since turning down Celtic’s earlier advances, the defender has built a solid European résumé. He featured for Bayer Leverkusen, including against Celtic in the 2021 Europa League, before later winning the competition with Atalanta in 2024. He was also named in Ronald Koeman’s extended 39-man Netherlands squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, though he ultimately missed out on the final cut. That international recognition underlines the quality Celtic were once again pursuing.
Left-back situation remains unresolved
The collapse of a permanent deal for Marcelo Saracchi has left a clear gap. The Uruguayan impressed during his loan spell from Boca Juniors last season and became a popular figure among supporters. Many felt he offered the ideal profile as second choice to Tierney, especially after his contribution to the title-winning campaign, including a key role in Daizen Maeda’s decisive goal on the final day in May. Despite the player expressing a desire to stay, talks broke down, sparking visible frustration among the fanbase towards the board.
Around the same period, Celtic also missed out on a potential return for Kelechi Iheanacho, another former player who had shown interest in coming back to Parkhead. The combination of those two setbacks has intensified scrutiny on the club’s transfer business in defensive areas.
Alternative options under consideration
Attention has now shifted to several other candidates. Former Celtic full-back Greg Taylor has indicated he would be open to a return to Glasgow after falling down the pecking order at PAOK in Greece. The club are also monitoring James Penrice, currently at AEK Athens, while Dundee United’s Will Ferry remains a more cost-effective domestic option after an impressive campaign at Tannadice.
None of these alternatives currently match the pedigree of the player heading towards Marseille, which explains why the latest development is being viewed as another missed opportunity. With Tierney’s fitness history well documented and the demands of domestic and European football increasing, reliable cover at left-back is no longer a luxury. It is a necessity.
As the transfer window continues, Celtic’s recruitment staff face mounting pressure to resolve the issue before the new season begins in earnest. Failure to strengthen the position adequately risks leaving the squad exposed in a key area once again, something supporters have already made clear they are unwilling to accept.