Paulo Bernardo is reported to have left Benfica’s pre-season training camp with speculation rife that a move to Celtic is close to completion.
Towards the end of the summer 2023 transfer window the midfielder joined Celtic on a season long loan that was reported to include an option to buy.
Despite that clause and the player being wanted by Celtic it seems that the two clubs have tried to draw back from that agreement and conclude a fresh contract.
The deal between the clubs for Jota two years ago demonstrated how the Lisbon side ensure that every possibility is covered, a year after signing for Celtic the winger moved to Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League with Benfica collecting a healthy slice of the £25m fee.
Negotiations seem to have been edging towards a conclusion over the last couple of weeks but Portuguese publisher Ojogo reports what appears to be a significant development:
He started training at Benfica Campus with the rest of the squad, but is now leaving. Paulo Bernardo was once again not named on the match sheet against Celta de Vigo on Saturday, in a situation that is related to the fact that negotiations are underway with a view to his departure from Benfica.
Celtic, the club to which he was on loan, is trying to agree on the transfer fee with the Eagles.
Bernardo only started 11 SPFL matches last season, making the same amount of appearances off the bench but was involved in all six Champions League matches, starting twice.
Among those limited appearances the Portuguese midfielder did score in the December Glasgow Derby then turned provider for crucial goals for Adam Idah in the April and May clashes.
As a current Portuguese u-21 internationalist that has come through the respected Benfica Academy Bernardo has the perfect pedigree.
Whenever Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley and Reo Hatate were available they went straight onto Brendan Rodgers’ team sheet but Bernardo ended the season as the next in line midfielder.
Although he is a different type of player to O’Riley the expected departure of the former MK Dons midfielder will create an opening in the Celtic midfielder, if Celtic are paying out around £5m for Bernardo it would seem natural to think that he is in line for a more prominent role in the season ahead.
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