The noises from Portugal about a Paulo Bernardo stay at Celtic are positive this weekend as the player’s feelings on his move to Scotland become clear.
Bernardo played 33 times for the Bhoys during his loan spell from Benfica last season. He contributed effectively when called upon by manager Brendan Rodgers.
Highlights include a crucial goal against Rangers alongside other efforts versus Livingston, Dundee and Buckie Thistle. His surging run and shot also helped Celtic deliver the Scottish Cup in a derby final last weekend.
The player has been taking part in a Portugal national team training camp this week as he aims to carry a productive season into the summer.
Now, a Saturday report from the Portuguese newspaper Record [print edition, page 9] indicates he’d like to stay on at Celtic if the club can agree on a fee with Benfica.
Paulo Bernardo open to permanent Celtic move
The paper reports [translated by DeepL]: “Paulo Bernardo had a happy season at Celtic and the midfielder wants to stay at the Scottish club. At this stage, there are still many doubts as to whether this will be the outcome, but it seems that Celtic will fight to lower the value of the option to buy clause or, at the very least, renew the player’s loan.
“The 22-year-old believes that next season he could continue to play regularly, which is what he wants most at the moment. He also knows that the chances of being an option for Roger Schmidt won’t be very high, after two unsuccessful pre-seasons with the German coach, which always ended in loan spells.
“Given these circumstances, Paulo Bernardo sees it as a good career option to continue in Scotland, a country to which he has adapted very easily and in a group where he feels perfectly at home.”
Brendan Rodgers has been impressed by Bernardo
Bernardo’s intent could help Celtic move that fee down from the reported £6.3m option-to-buy clause in his loan. His desire to stay at the Bhoys and happiness in Scotland must make a permanent move even more appealing for Brendan Rodgers, too.
Back in January, Rodgers signalled he was pleased with Bernardo’s progress, stating: “I’m delighted with the emergence of Paulo. There is an agreement with the club, an option for us to activate that, if we want to do it. He came in and gradually he has learnt the principles of our play. Leading into the Rangers game last month I knew he was going to start and we wanted to give him a run of matches. He’s been fantastic.”
It’s undoubtedly a situation to watch closely as the close-season develops and the transfer window officially opens next week.