Celtic find themselves in an enviable position as Alexandro Bernabei continues to shine on loan at Internacional in Brazil. The Argentine left-back’s resurgence mirrors the situation Celtic faced during the Adam Idah transfer saga, though this time, the Glasgow giants hold all the leverage.

Last season, Norwich City sent Idah to Celtic on loan without a pre-agreed fee for a permanent deal. The Irish striker flourished at Parkhead, playing a crucial role in securing both the Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup. However, Norwich’s shrewd handling of the deal meant they were free to dictate terms when Celtic wanted to make the move permanent. The Hoops ended up paying £9 million for the player—a sum that reportedly pushed the boundaries of what the club was comfortable with.

Now, Celtic have the opportunity to play the same game with Bernabei. The 24-year-old has become a standout performer at Internacional, where his attacking contributions from left-back have made him one of the top-rated players in Brazil’s Serie A. His performances have sparked interest not only from his current club but also from other South American heavyweights.

At the time of writing, Bernabei has 22 appearances to his name with three goals and four assists; not a bad return for a left back!

The Hoops cleverly didn’t include a buy-out clause in Bernabei’s loan agreement, leaving them free to demand top dollar for the player. Internacional are keen to keep him but may struggle to meet Celtic’s reported demands. Portal Colorado reported last month that the fee in question could be as much as £8m.

When we spoke to the Celtic manager in mid-November about Alexandro, he told CeltsAreHere, “I think it’s great that he’s gone away and done well,

“Sometimes you just find that. He’d been here for a period of time, and it hadn’t worked out as probably what he or the club would have wanted. Sometimes that happens—you go away, back into a different culture, a different life, and back into South America for him.”

While it’s unlikely Bernabei will return to Parkhead as a first-team regular, his improved market value puts Celtic in a commanding position. With several suitors and no pre-set fee, the club can ensure a significant return on the £3million investment they made to bring him in from Lanús in 2022.

Celtic now have the chance to emulate Norwich’s tough negotiating stance. By playing hardball, they can secure the best possible deal, whether that’s with Internacional or another club willing to meet their valuation. As Bernabei continues to impress, the Hoops must ensure they capitalise on his form and maximise their financial gain.

This time, Celtic hold all the cards—and it’s up to them to deal the winning hand.

Would you like to see Celtic potentially use Alexandro upon his return? Or is it all about getting a big fee for the defender?