Celtic have shown a renewed interest in securing a deal for Paulo Bernardo, who spent the previous season on loan with Brendan Rodgers’ side. Despite his impressive performances and potential for further growth, Celtic initially hesitated to commit to purchasing him at the pre-agreed fee.
However, recent developments suggest that negotiations with Benfica are progressing positively. With reports indicating that there is no place for Bernardo in Benfica’s squad for the upcoming season, the Portuguese club appears eager to facilitate a move for the player to Celtic.
According to the latest reports in the Portuguese newspaper Record, Benfica recently traveled to France for a friendly match against Almeria, with Bernardo and other surplus players left out of the squad. This exclusion further signals Benfica’s willingness to part ways with the talented attacker.
While Celtic have been eager to secure a discount on the transfer fee, Benfica’s demands for a higher percentage of a future sale have led to some delays in the negotiations. Some reports have even suggested that Benfica are seeking as much as 50% of any future transfer fee, adding a further layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions between the two clubs.
However, despite these obstacles, it appears that both parties are committed to reaching a mutually beneficial agreement, with Bernardo potentially on the verge of completing a permanent move to Celtic.
