With less than 48 hours left in the transfer window, Celtic are on the verge of securing a significant addition to their squad. According to Record Portugal, Benfica midfielder Paulo Bernardo is set to travel to Glasgow to finalise a loan move to the Hoops.
This latest development comes on the heels of Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph’s report that negotiations between Celtic and Benfica were centred around a loan deal for the 21-year-old, with an option to buy. Bernardo, who has four years left on his current contract, has been a target for Celtic since the days of former boss Ange Postecoglou.
The potential move is made even more intriguing by the existing relationship between Celtic and Benfica. Both clubs have previously benefited from their partnership, most notably with the loan and subsequent £6 million signing of Jota, who later made a £25 million move to Saudi Arabia, netting both clubs a substantial profit.
Benfica are reportedly looking for a sizeable sell-on clause in any deal for Bernardo, a stipulation that could complicate negotiations but also speaks to the player’s high value. Given the midfielder’s experience, including 26 first-team appearances for Benfica and 16 caps for Portugal’s Under-21s, he could be a vital asset for Brendan Rodgers as he seeks to turn around Celtic’s form.
With the clock ticking down and the team struggling since Rodgers’ return, Celtic fans are eagerly awaiting confirmation of new signings. The potential addition of Paulo Bernardo could offer both skill and youth to a squad in need of a boost.
For the latest updates on Celtic’s transfer activities and more, stay tuned to Celtsarehere.com.
