Marseille move ends Celtic hopes of signing Mitchel Bakker | OneFootball

Marseille are reportedly on the verge of completing a deal for Mitchel Bakker, with the Dutch defender set to move despite renewed links with Celtic this summer.

The 25-year-old had once again been mentioned as a potential option for the Scottish champions after falling out of favour at Atalanta, where opportunities were limited last season.

Celtic have been exploring the market for left-sided defensive reinforcements following Marcelo Saracchi’s departure.

However, reports carried by the Daily Record suggest Bakker is now closing in on a return to Ligue 1, with Marseille expected to secure his services on an initial loan agreement.

The move would see the former Ajax academy graduate link up once more with Bruno Genesio, who previously managed him during his loan spell at Lille in the 2024-25 campaign.

Bakker began his senior career at Ajax before joining Paris Saint-Germain in 2019. He later enjoyed a two-year spell at Bayer Leverkusen before completing a switch to Atalanta in 2023.

Celtic first explored a move for the left-sided wing-back in 2020 as Neil Lennon searched for defensive reinforcements following Boli Bolingoli’s controversial exit from the first-team picture.

The Dutchman had featured for PSG against Celtic in a pre-season friendly that summer and went on to establish himself in the French club’s first-team squad, while the Hoops ultimately brought Diego Laxalt to Glasgow instead.

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