Celtic seem on the brink of completing the signing of their first outfield player of the summer transfer window with Paulo Bernardo reported to be undergoing a medical last night.
That deal has been in various stages over the past couple of weeks, with Stephen McGowan of the Daily Mail providing the detail it now appears closer than ever to completion.
It would take both clubs to be in agreement plus personal terms to be agreed before a medical is undertaken as Brendan Rodgers gets this season’s squad close to the one that finished the 23/24 season by lifting the Scottish Cup at Hampden.
Paulo Bernardo was undergoing a medical examination on Tuesday night before completing his £3.4million move to Celtic.
The Portuguese midfielder is set to join Brendan Rodgers’ squad before Sunday’s Premiership flag day against Kilmarnock, and Adam Idah’s on-off move to Parkhead has taken a fresh twist after the striker was disciplined by Norwich and left out of their friendly with Hoffenheim after missing the team flight to Austria at the weekend.
While Celtic edge closer to a breakthrough on Bernardo and Idah, they face frustration in their quest to snap up Wolves left back Hugo Bueno.
The Premier League side have told Mail Sport they have no current plans to send the Spaniard out on loan.
Celtic’s protracted pursuit of Bernardo will finally come to an end when the 22-year-old becomes the club’s first outfield signing of the summer after two weeks of haggling over cash.
He arrived in Glasgow on a one-year loan last summer, with a £6m option to buy.
Reluctant to pay the full amount to complete a permanent deal from Benfica, Celtic renegotiated a fee of £3.4m with a 30 per cent sell-on clause. After renegotiating the personal terms, the midfielder has now agreed terms on a five-year deal.
Celtic and Benfica have agreed a £3.5m fee for Paulo Bernardo. Player terms now being worked out.
— stephen.mcgowan (@mcgowan_stephen) July 15, 2024
As the tweet above demonstrates Celtic transfer activity isn’t the most smooth running which will concern supporters about further additions in the remaining month of business.
Bringing back last season’s fourth choice midfielder, possibly covering for the transfer of Matt O’Riley is a sensible move but wouldn’t have been the priority deal for many fans.
Signing a striker to compete with and provide cover to Kyogo Furuhashi would be top of many lists with the Idah option apparently still on going.
Greg Taylor remains the only left-back at the club while in central defence there will be concerns over how vulnerable the team can look without Cameron Carter-Vickers who had a badly interrupted time last season due to injuries.
Rodgers is expected to have a media conference on Thursday where transfer discussions are likely to feature heavily.
Big deal. Even with the signing of Idah,if it happens. Apart art from Joe hart this is the same team as last year.
No changes whatsoever for start of season.
Supporters conned again
We’ve probably changed the Tea Lady! “It was a touch decision but buying PREMIUM Teabags is just not on when Lidls is just as good” claimed Liewell lol!
*tough decision lol!
Lol once again the board dragging their heels,that’s because they are weighed down with all that money they are holding on to and not wanting to spend it.
The recent player having a medical just now who was here last season is the classic example,sending the guy back to his parent club for 6 weeks so they pay his wages,then bringing him back and signing the player 3 days before the season starts,all for the sake of saving a few coppers.
A nickel&dime outfit is our club and one of the highest quality when it comes to doing a right good bit of CHISLING.
After the great win against Chelsea, I came on here expecting glowing praise for the team and was met with a barrage of criticism for the board. Looking at today’s input Lawwell is going to have to pull something out the bag to appease the supporters as we always guessed he would present Idah( hopefully) and Barnardo as new signings.
The only way it would make sense would be if they were going to start then it could be argued that the team is “different” but that is up to BR.
Idah is too good to sit on the bench for 60 mins and should be played along side Kyogo while Bernardo is more consistent in passing the ball than Hitate even if he is not as gifted.
It’s something but not much.
Fool me once…