Celtic have indicated their desire to sign Benfica loanee Paulo Bernardo permanently, according to a report from Portuguese outlet A BOLA.
It is said that the Hoops have given signs that they are “seriously thinking” about extending the 22-year-old’s spell in Glasgow.
A BOLA report that the buy option in Bernardo’s loan stands at seven and a half million euros, however, they say that Celtic will look to renegotiate such a price.
Brendan Rodgers “really likes” the discipline and quality of Bernardo. Signing him permanently could soon become a priority for the gaffer.
Apart from a purple patch during the festive period that included a crucial Glasgow derby goal, however, the Portuguese under-21 internationalist hasn’t particularly stood out in a Celtic jersey.
He has made 25 appearances in all competitions, featuring in each of the Celts’ Champions League group stage matches but triggering the buy option in his loan just now seems nonsensical.
The only reasons behind buying Bernardo at this moment in time could be that Celtic wants to get the payment in before the end of the fiscal tax year in June, or that they anticipate Matt O’Riley could be off for big money in the summer.
The situation is intriguing, with this latest report throwing a spanner into the works. Bernardo’s predicament is one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks and months.
