It’s Lowball Time – Celtic target permanent deal for on-loan midfielder but want to re-negotiate the transfer fee…

Celtic v Dundee United – cinch Premiership – Celtic Park Celtic s Paulo Bernardo during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday September 16, 2023.Photo Andrew Milligan

According to Portuguese news outlet A Bola- Benfica: Celtic want to keep Paulo Bernardo | Abola.pt, Celtic have indicated to Bernardo’s parent club Benfica that they want a permanent deal struck for the midfielder. There is a £6.4 million buy option in Bernardo’s loan contract, but Celtic want to renegotiate this fee.

The Portugal u21 international has impressed at times this season, in particular in the four games before the winter break, but he has struggled to maintain consistency in his performances over the course of the season.

Bernardo has scored three times and registered two assists across 25 games in all competitions for the club, racking up a total of 1,315 minutes on the park.

Celtic v Buckie Thistle – Paulo Bernardo celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Scottish Cup match at Celtic Park on Sunday January 21, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan

The 22-year-old is extremely competent technically and defensively, but often fails to leave his mark on games, similar to how Matt O’Riley struggled last season as he lost his place to Aaron Mooy.

The midfielder has started every game for Portugal’s u21’s in their European qualifiers, playing every minute of every match bar one.

Bernardo is certainly a talented player, and has the potential to be a proper all-round midfielder, but questions remain whether he is worth the fee that will be required to make his stay in Glasgow a permanent one.

…average Rangers side. This infatuation with "young", "sell on" needs to stop being the be all and end all with us.

— Eeramacaroonbar (@Eeramacaroonbar) March 21, 2024

James French