Celtic have reignited their interest in talented Benfica midfielder, Paulo Bernardo. The 21-year-old had previously been looked at by our old boss Ange Postecoglou and the recruitment team at Lennoxtown, but nothing ever came to fruition. Now a report in the players homeland has claimed that the Bhoys are looking at making a move before Deadline Day.
There had been various reports that Brendan Rodgers had asked for up to FIVE signings before the transfer window slams shut on Friday at midnight. Rumours have been gathering pace since then and we have already captured Luis Palma from Aris for around £3.5million for the left-wing berth, now it looks like we are moving onto the midfield and striker departments after the links to Kvistgaarden and Bernardo.
The supporters are starting to get restless and anxious about the lack of movement and had been anxious for signs of life that the Parkhead powerbrokers are trying to get bodies in. Not just bodies, but ones that would make an instant impact in our starting XI for this coming campaign, despite adding some promising talents to our ranks this summertime.
The Record in Portugual now claims that the club are wanting to sign Bernardo before Friday. The report states:
“Celtic is trying to hire Paulo Bernardo on loan. The average does not enter Benfica’s plans for this season and awaits placement. This is a dossier that the incarnate officials want to resolve in the last few days of the market. Released by George Jesus in 2021/22, Paulo Bernardo, 21, was borrowed to the Paços de Ferreira last January. He was integrated into the pre-season, but without any minute of use, it became clear that he did not count for Roger Schmidt. The Portuguese international has a contract with Benfica until 2027.”
A box-to-box midfielder, he stands at just under 6ft and is apparently very athletic and tenacious in the tackle. It’s something that Callum McGregor has needed beside him desperately since the beginning of the season and if there is substance to this one it would be a more than welcome addition to our team. Let’s hope this one has legs!
🚨 O Celtic está a tentar contratar Paulo Bernardo por empréstimo, avança o @Record_Portugal. pic.twitter.com/86gpljYb4H
— PLUS Benfica 🇮🇩 (@plusbenfica) August 29, 2023
Paul Gillespie
Better start hiring nannies.