Celtic bid for defender as Saracchi talks intensify - gossip

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Celtic and Olympiacos have had bids of £3.5m for centre-back Zinedin Smajlovic rejected by Sandefjord, who want closer to £4.3m for the 22-year-old. (Gazzetta.gr via Record)

Meanwhile, Celtic are set to intensify talks with Boca Juniors over a permanent deal for Marcelo Saracchi after the 28-year-old left-back was told by head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena he is not in his plans after his loan to the Scottish champions. (Record)

Reported Celtic transfer target Soufiane El-Faouzi is poised to sign a new contract with Schalke until 2030 that will hand the 23-year-old midfielder an annual salary of nearly £1m. (Bild via Record)

Go Ahead Eagles technical director Marc van Hintum says they will not stand in the way of Jakob Breum, for whom Celtic bid unsuccessfully in January, leaving if they receive a good offer for the 22-year-old £4m-rated attacking midfielder. (Glasgow Times)

Celtic will welcome back a squad of around 21 for initial pre-season training on Friday with a clutch of players at the World Cup. (Record)

Besiktas are reportedly negotiating with Wolfsburg over whether to land Andreas Skov Olsen on a permanent basis or secure another loan deal for the 26-year-old winger, who was with Rangers last season. (Sun)

Former Rangers defender Colin Hendry expects the Ibrox club to sign more Scots after Lawrence Shankland was recruited from Hearts. (Record - subscription required)

Portsmouth are pushing to hold talks with Luke Graham as they continue their interest in Dundee's 22-year-old centre-half. (Alan Nixon on Patreon)

Former Motherwell centre-half Stephen Craigan is poised to join Stephen Robinson's coaching staff at Aberdeen. (Press and Journal - subscription required)

St Mirren have offered captain Mark O'Hara a new contract, but the 30-year-old midfielder is also a target for Kilmarnock and has interest from clubs in Asia and Eastern Europe. (Kyle Gunn on X)

Polish-born midfielder Fran Franczak is poised to join Odra Opole in his homeland's top flight after the 18-year-old's release by St Johnstone. (Courier - subscription required)