Celtic and Benfica have reportedly agreed a fee for Paulo Bernardo. The Scottish Champions have had a £4.2m bid accepted by the Portuguese side for their midfield talent. The U21 Internationalist is keen on a move back to Celtic having impressed on loan last season.
According to Portuguese outlet Mais Futebol, a fee has been agreed but the clubs are currently discussing the sell-on fee.
Celtic are keen to retain the midfielder, who provided some key moments throughout the campaign. During the season, Bernardo scored four goals and three assists in his 34 appearances. The 22-year-old scored in the December Glasgow Derby win over Rangers before providing two assists in the run-in, both for Adam Idah in the closing stages. The best of the pair was his involvement in the goal that beat Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final, collecting the ball from midfield, riding a tackle and forcing Butland into an error, which Idah capitalised on.
Bernardo is back in Lisbon with Benfica as pre-season begins but the club have informed him he’ll have a small role in the first team this term. That has opened the door for a return to Celtic as Brendan Rodgers’ side look to exercise their option to buy.
These deals for Paulo and idah only confirms the time factor involved in getting such deals finalised.
Fully expected both to get done eventually, especially as both seemingly wanting to return, with both within our price bracket also in terms of fees and wages imo?
However it’s only a start, with more of a relief feeling than one of excitement, because we know what we are getting and where they fit into the plans of Rodgers also imo?
A start is far better than nothing, but it still remains the priority positions that take preference upon starting to be filled still?
Would like to think Paulo becomes a player for the longer than the short-term option and selling at a big profit?
Decent steady player who suits Rodgers style of football he’s looking to install, who should be able to provide even more next season than last season imo?
Very decent signing who will provide a much bigger impact next season, and wasn’t to bad last season either?
Anyone contributing in beating the scum is more than OK in my book, and Paulo has already provided that, with more to follow imo?
As you say it’s a start but we now need to sign others as we all know a new no 1 also a back up to whoever that will be and we can’t stop there we need a quality left back another centre midfield and hopefully we get the forward position sorted soon as we have champions league as well as domestic football and we need a squad to deal with the pressure this will bring !
After we sign these two players we will still need at least an other six priority is top class goal keeper and central defender hail hail