‘Crazy fee’ ‘robbed Benfica again’ ‘priced to perfection’ Celtic fans react to incoming midfielder deal

There appears to be two versions emerging of news that Celtic have agreed a deal to sign Paulo Bernardo from Benfica on a permanent basis.

In the Red Corner from Portugal A Bola claimed that a reduced up front fee was balanced by a 50% sell on deal.

Over in the Green Corner Stephen McGowan was only reporting what appears to be a reduced fee of £3.5m for the midfielder.

After a tumbleweed start to the transfer window the only issue that matters to Celtic fans is that the squad might be returning to the ‘strength’ of the one that finished last season winning the Scottish Cup at Hampden.

Thanks in no small part to the midfield drive of Bernardo who brushed aside Nicky Raskin to shoot towards Super Jack Butland in the 88th minute, the rest is folklore.

While McGowan was tweeting out his insider information a different version surfaced just beforehand in Portugal with A Bola claiming:

The Reds’ SAD is still negotiating the terms of the final transfer, with Celtic trying to lower the €7 million initially requested by Benfica. The final agreement is expected to be below that amount, but the Eagles want to keep at least half of Paulo Bernardo’s transfer fee.

It seems to be swings and roundabouts if Celtic have lowered the up front fee in return for Benfica getting a bigger chunk of any future fee.

Benfica seem to be very skilled negotiators as they demonstrated with the Jota deal. A sell on clause of 30% appears like smart business, it remains unclear whether that applied to the profit on Celtic’s deal with Al Ittihad or to the entire fee.

Although they are very different types of players it seems like the return of Bernardo will partly be to offset the expected departure of Matt O’Riley.

It could result in a slight change of position for Callum McGregor, the promotion of Tomoki Iwata or another new arrival although there is also the prospect of Reo Hatate being sold at some future date.

With the SPFL campaign starting in less than three weeks Celtic supporters will be hoping that the Bernardo deal is the first of a few with Brendan Rodgers on record as looking to bring in four quality additions to the side that he inherited from Ange Postecoglou a year ago.

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