Player ‘in final stages of negotiations’ to join Celtic – Taken out of travelling squad

Celtic finally look like they’re on the verge of sealing a deal for Paulo Bernardo.

The attacker spent last season on loan with Brendan Rodgers’ side and whilst they were happy with his performances, and feel there’s more to come, they didn’t want to buy at the pre-agreed fee.

Celtic believed they could renegotiate with Benfica, especially given it’s well known in Lisbon that there’s no place for Bernardo in the club’s squad for the coming season.

Monday’s edition of Record touches on the situation. It’s explained Benfica travelled to France on Sunday to face Almeria in a friendly match, and Bernardo and others deemed surplus to requirements weren’t included in the squad.

The Portuguese newspaper state the player is ‘in the final stages of negotiations’ to complete a permanent move to Celtic.

Previous reports have explained that with Celtic wanting a discount, Benfica have wanted more of a percentage of a future sale than they otherwise would have demanded.

Some reports have even put the figure as high as 50%, and it’s likely that situation which has seen talks drag on between the two clubs.