Celtic are wiling to pay £3.3 million for Fernando Henrique with a representative working on behalf of the Scottish Premiership giants discussing a deal with the Gremio board, according to ND Mais and Radio Esportes.
A disciplined, defensively-minded central midfielder, 20-year-old Henrique idolises Real Madrid’s Casemiro – and that should tell you everything you really need to know about what he would bring to Parkhead.
Two successive clean sheets, and improved performances from the likes of Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers, have certainly calmed the nerves on the green half of Glasgow.
But that humiliating 4-0 home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen was only three weeks ago and, while Ange Postecoglou does appear to have struck a balance between his thrilling attack and his faltering defence at last, no one will be resting on their laurels just yet.
In theory, the addition of Henrique would bring some much-needed energy, tenacity and resilience to Celtic’s engine room.
He is a more natural number six than Callum McGregor and possesses the kind of ability in possession that Ismaila Soro – occasionally resilient, often reckless – cannot match.
Is Fernando Henrique the number six Celtic need?
Globo Esporte were the first to report Celtic’s interest in the Brazil U20 international.
ND Mais have now shed further light on the situation, claiming that the Hoops – who first expressed an interest back in August – are willing to pay around £3.3 million to get the deal done at the start of 2022.
And, according to Radio Esportes, a representative working on behalf of Celtic has now been sent to Brazil in order to conduct talks with the Gremio board.
It is believed that Gremio will not stand in Henrique’s way, with the youngster in-and-out of the team despite making a positive impression on veteran manager Luis Felipe Scolari, who left the club by mutual consent a week ago.
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