Scottish Premiership champions Celtic have ‘practically everything agreed’ to bring in Paulo Bernardo from Benfica on a season long loan deal.
That is according to Portuguese publication Zero Zero; Brendan Rodgers closing in on another intriguing addition while Luis Palma edges ever closer to sealing a £3.5 million move to Parkhead from Greek outfit Aris Thessaloniki.
Paulo Bernardo, meanwhile, is set to join on a temporary basis until the summer of 2024. Celtic and Benfica have reportedly come to an agreement, with the Portugal U21 international following in the footsteps of Odin Thiago Holm, Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Marco Tilio, Hyun Jun Yang, Hyeok Kyu Kwon and potentially Palma too.
Celtic agree deal with Benfica’s Paulo Bernardo
The stylish, technically gifted Bernardo made 13 appearances as Benfica won Portugal’s top flight last season. He scored two goals and set up two more along the way, but should find first-team football easier to come by at Celtic even if Rodgers already has a veritable treasure trove of midfield options at his disposal with not even the masterful Reo Hatate guaranteed a starting spot these days.
Bernardo will follow in the footsteps of Jota. Now in Saudi Arabia, the dazzling wideman spent two brilliant seasons at Celtic after joining on an initial loan deal from Benfica in 2021.
The Hoops have also been linked with seldom-seen Liverpool defender Nat Phillips. Brondby striker Mathias Kvistgaarden too. As things stand, however, Bernardo and Palma appear the most likely additions before the window closes later this week.
“He’s a very good young player,” former Aris coach Alex Dyer tells the Daily Record of Palma. “He’s got two good feet and can play in a variety of positions. Luis can play as a number ten or on the left or right side, and he’s got the quality to score goals.
“You can see he’s really good at set pieces. He takes a great free kick. I’m sure he’ll score goals for Celtic. He definitely won’t look out of place. He’s already involved in the Honduras national set up and this will help him kick on again.
“Celtic have a top manager in Brendan and he will take his career to the next level as well.”
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