Celtic have reached a full agreement with Benfica to make Paulo Bernardo’s loan permanent, according to reports. The Portuguese was inspired on loan at Glasgow last season and is expected to continue managing Brendan Rodgers in 2024/25.
Talks have been ongoing for weeks over a deal for Bernardo, who has scored 4 goals in 33 appearances for the Hoops in all competitions.
The original loan deal included an option to buy him permanently for just over £5m, but Celtic’s heads of movements have been scrambling to verify and negotiate a lower fee.
According to Portuguese media outlet Mais Futebol, the two parties have agreed to a £2. 5 million payment that includes long-term resale payments to Benfica. Bernardo is expected to sign a five-year deal with Celtic once the main points of his move are finalised. .
The 22-year-old’s arrival will be a big boost for Rodgers, who has already welcomed goalkeepers Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinisalo to Celtic Park this summer. And more activities are likely to take place, with two transfers apparently in the works.
Like Bernardo, Adam Idah inspired on loan with the Hoops last season, scoring 8 goals in 15 Scottish Premiership games.
But Norwich City are reportedly not finding it easy to make the £8million payment to make the replacement permanent. American midfielder Tanner Tessman is also a target for Celtic.
The youngster has been a regular in Venice’s Serie B for more than three seasons. Celtic’s potential moves for Idah and Tessman may ultimately hinge on their split with star midfielder Matt O’Riley.
The London-born Danish foreigner will be a force to be reckoned with in 2023/24, attracting interest from teams such as Atalanta and Southampton. Valued at £26million, O’Riley’s sale could pave the way for Rodgers to complete his summer moving business in record time.
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The manager recently hinted that O’Riley would be allowed to leave for the right price, explaining: “I think we all sense it, the other people close to Celtic sense the style that Celtic have. “Celtic is a club where you can play However, it is not necessary and it is a very difficult club to leave.
“Naturally, with the salaries offered to players, it represents a real challenge for Celtic to compete at this level. But what I’ve noticed with Matt is that he’s a professional of the first elegance. “He’s a very important player for us and as long as he’s here we’ll continue to expand him and help him improve. “
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