Yeah, we have all heard it before but at long last it looks more likely that Benfica and Celtic have concluded the £3.5m transfer of Paulo Bernardo to Celtic with the Portuguese Under 21 captain signing a five year deal with the Scottish Champions and Scottish Cup holders.
That’s according to reporter Stephen McGowan at Scottish Daily Mail.
And it’s a case of if at first you don’t succeed try, try again as Celtic go back in for Wolves 21 year-old left back Hugo Bueno, after trying unsuccessfully to sign the Spaniard in the January transfer window. Celtic this time, according to BBC Sport, are looking for a season long loan deal for the Wolves back-up left back but may end up frustrated for a second successive window as Liverpool are reportedly targeting
Bueno is a Spain Under-21 international who has played 49 times and scored one goal for Wolves since arriving from Areosa in 2019. He is currently with the Wolves on their pre-season tour of the United States, as indeed is Celtic.
This deal could be dependent on Wolves reaction to the Liverpool interest in their first choice left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and it the progresses then it’s hard to see Celtic getting their man at the second time of asking.
Hopefully Wolves hold firm on Ait-Nouri and allow Hugo Bueno to come to Celtic where he will get valuable game-time, including of course the chance to feature in the Champions League.
Celtic currently has just one left back in the first team squad, although the Academy stars are currently making a name for themselves on the USA Tour, where Celtic are undefeated have recorded two wins from two matches against DC United (4-0) and English Champions Manchester City (4-3). Celtic play Chelsea this weekend looking to round off the tour with a 100% record before heading home to Lennoxtown to prepare for the season opener against Kilmarnock at Celtic Park a week on Sunday.
Bernardo looks certain to be there and hopefully he will be joined by Hugo Bueno and perhaps Adam Idah, although the frustrating stand-off between Norwich City and Celtic remains in a stalemate with each side waiting on the other to blink.
This one could go all the way until the end of August, which for Norwich seems self defeating as they need to sell to buy and could lose the Irishman then find themselves with too little time to re-invest the transfer fee.
UPDATE: Celtic have agreed terms on a five-year deal with Benfica midfielder Paulo Bernardo.
The 22yo is due to complete a medical.@SkySportsNews revealed earlier this month that the clubs had agreed a £3.5m deal for the player.
A 30% sell-on clause has also been inserted. https://t.co/Tu9KvA2vyn
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) July 25, 2024
Celtic have made an approach for Wolves left-back Hugo Bueno.
It’s understood the Hoops have enquired about a season-long loan deal for the Spain U21 international.
Celtic have been monitoring Bueno, 21, for some time, as they look to provide competition for Greg Taylor. pic.twitter.com/XEZDM5Vvzz
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) July 25, 2024
