The stock of Celtic midfielder Paulo Bernardo has risen massively over the past few weeks. The young Benfica loanee scored his first Hoops goal away at Dundee before netting the opener in the Glasgow derby a few days later. Bernardo then assisted twice away at St. Mirren on the 2nd of January.
Such antics have many discussing whether the 21-year-old should be signed on a permanent deal. Paul Lambert has given his reckoning: “The next five months will determine whether he wins a permanent contract at Celtic or not”, he said (The Celtic Way). “If he does well and both parties agree then he will sign the deal. If he doesn’t then Brendan will need to decide on what he wants to do with him.”
At the minute, it may be too early for Celtic to think about bringing the Portugal under-21 internationalist in permanently, but his recent form is something to behold. Should he keep it up, then talk of a permanent move will only increase.
It is publically known that there is an option to buy in The Bhoys’ loan for Bernardo, but there seems to be no concrete figure agreed.
This is understandable given the fact he was signed late on in the summer window, but this part of the deal will undoubtedly come into focus more if the club wish to buy him permanently when the season ends.
