Hertha Berlin manager Stefan Leitl has acknowledged that the 2. Bundesliga club has a contingency plan in place should star goalkeeper Tjark Ernst be sold this summer. The 23-year-old former Germany youth international has been heavily linked with both Celtic and Feyenoord, with reports suggesting a release clause of €5 million (£4.3 million) in his contract.
Hertha Berlin Prepared for Ernst Exit
Leitl, speaking to TAG24, said: "I believe the names are known and accordingly we must be prepared in case something else happens." Ernst has also attracted interest from fellow German second-tier side Wolfsburg, but sources indicate the shot-stopper has turned down their advances, leaving Celtic and Feyenoord as the primary suitors.
Celtic are reportedly set to battle it out with Gio van Bronckhorst's Feyenoord to sign the highly-rated goalkeeper, who has impressed in the 2. Bundesliga. Hertha Berlin are bracing for a potential bid, with Leitl emphasizing the need to be ready for any departures.
Saracchi Frozen Out at Boca Juniors
In other Celtic transfer news, left-back Marcelo Saracchi has been told to train alone after returning to Boca Juniors from his loan spell at Celtic. The 28-year-old Uruguayan enjoyed a solid 2025/26 season with the Hoops, helping them secure a league and cup double.
Celtic had been keen to bring Saracchi back on another loan deal, but Record Sport exclusively revealed that Boca Juniors rejected that offer, insisting on a permanent transfer. Argentine outlet El Intransigente reports that Boca head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena has now frozen Saracchi out of the first-team picture.
The report adds that Boca's sporting director, former Villarreal and Barcelona star Juan Roman Riquelme, will listen to offers of at least $3 million (£2.2 million) for the 11-time Uruguay international. Saracchi has also been linked with a move to domestic rivals Independiente.
With Hertha Berlin preparing for Ernst's potential exit and Saracchi's situation at Boca growing tense, Celtic face key decisions in the summer transfer window as they look to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
