The money that Celtic is set to receive for forgotten defender Alexandro Bernabei, if reports are true, then everyone involved with the club should be congratulated and commended for playing an absolute blinder with this transfer…
The Argentinian left-back just didn’t manage to fit with the Scottish Premiership and only showed glimpses of what he is capable of doing in a Celtic shirt.
An Ange Postecoglou signing
Signed under Ange Postecoglou back in 2022, there was high hopes that Bernabei could push the current incumbent in the no.3 position, Greg Taylor, to his absolute maximum and maybe even usurp him at some point. But the more we watched, the more those hopes disintegrated as the former Lanus man failed to convince every time he was given an opportunity by either Postecoglou or Brendan Rodgers most recently.
A loan to South America in the Brazilian league with SC Internacional was agreed in the summer transfer window, with Bernabei returning to more familiar surroundings in terms of footballing culture. The diminutive and aggressive fullback has enjoyed a renaissance on the continent in which he was born – so much so, that the loan club have decided to make his stay a permanent one.
Awaiting official announcement
Talks are believed to be still ongoing to complete the registration of Bernabei from Celtic Park and no official announcement had been made by the club as of yet. However, it’s merely formalities at this stage of the game and that one should go through without any hiccups in the near future. If the figures which are being reported by those following the transfer in South America are to be believed, then the Hoops are set to make a profit on a player who was nowhere near the first team picture at Paradise.
Buenos Aires journalist provides update
César Luis Merlo, a journalist who is based in Buenos Aires and who specialises in transfers, posted an update with more details of the Bernabei deal. Apparently, Celtic are set to receive €5.5M for the services of our former star, with a potential €500.000 in bonuses finding it’s way to the Parkhead coffers depending on certain criteria being met. That would equate to a deal around £5M in total which the club would be getting for a player surplus to requirements. Quite incredible, really.
Kudos to everyone at the club for this one!
🚨Alexandro Bernabei fue comprado por SC Internacional: el club pagó €5.5M más €500.000 en bonos al Celtic.
*️⃣El lateral izquierdo firmará hasta diciembre de 2027. #TratoHecho pic.twitter.com/GOa3hErvqY— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) January 10, 2025
“Alexandro Bernabei was bought by SC Internacional: the club paid € 5.5M plus € 500,000 in bonuses to Celtic. * ⃣ The left back will sign until December 2027.”
Paul Gillespie
