Celtic have been told how much they should rally pay for Paulo Bernardo after reports suggested that the club had made enquiries about a permanent move for the on-loan midfielder.
The Portuguese u21 international was brought to the club by Brendan Rodgers last summer and we told last week how Celtic are seriously considering bringing the 22-year-old to Paradise in the upcoming transfer window.
Reports have suggested that Benfica have a £6.4m buyout clause in his contract and it seems that Celtic is willing to match that to bring Bernardo to Celtic Park permanently. Benfica will also retain a 30% sell-on fee should the move happen.
The last time Celtic paid that kind of money for a player we got Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers. Both players of immense quality have contributed hugely to Celtic’s successes over the past two seasons.
But is Bernardo really in that £6m bracket and of the same quality as Carter-Vickers and Jota? Not according to pundit, Tam McManus.
Celtic told to pay £3m for Paulo Bernardo
When asked if Celtic should meet Benfica’s terms to bring the Portuguese midfielder to Paradise in the summer, McManus was unequivocal in his answer.
McManus said [PLZ Soccer], “On what I’ve seen so far? No, no. I would pay £2m, maybe two and a half or three at most. I wouldn’t pay £6.5m.”
On the evidence of what I have seen from Bernardo this season, I would suggest that £6m for a player who has been so inconsistent is a bit steep.
Or maybe I am doing the Portuguese a disservice as I am immediately comparing him to Jota who is, of course, a completely different player.
However, there has been a midfield place up for grabs at Celtic all season due to the injury of Reo Hatate and Bernardo has failed to nail it down.
He did enjoy a purple patch of form in December when he scored against Dundee and Rangers and then created two assists against St Mirren in Paisley. [Transfermarkt]
And he has impressed a couple of times in the Champions League but he just hasn’t been consistent enough to justify Benfica’s price tag.
Will Celtic get him for half that? I very much doubt it as Benfica do seem to rate him highly. But for me, Celtic should not be looking to spend over £6m on a player who still can’t claim a regular place in Brendan Rodgers‘ starting lineup at this moment in time.