Paulo Bernardo to Celtic CAN be done as buzzing Brendan Rodgers reveals transfer fee is 'absolutely' realistic
The Hoops boss has been delighted with the Benfica loanee and has hinted he would like to get a permanent deal over the line.
Brendan Rodgers has revealed for the first time that a deal for Paulo Bernardo CAN be done.
The Celtic gaffer has hinted that he is keen to make a permanent switch from Benfica happen - as he praised the loanee for his performances for the Scottish champions. The Hoops know what kind of fee it would take to snap up the midfielder - just like Jota - from the Portuguese giants and Rodgers has said it is 'absolutely' realistic.
He plans to sit down towards the end of the season and take it from there but has stressed while a fee is manageable for Celtic - it is a two-way situation and Bernardo would also clearly have to agree to make the full-time switch. His confession comes as the Parkhead side also look to tie down key man Cameron Carter-Vickers to extended terms to fend off EPL interest. We exclusively told how West Ham, Brentford and Nottingham Forest are all keen on the USA international, who is under contract until 2026.
Speaking about Bernardo and his future, Rodgers explained: “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.
“And he has got an old head on young shoulders. He’s a top professional. I can see him emerging and growing now as a person, feeling more confident amongst the players. He now has real clarity in how we play and how we work - and you see his game flourishing. He’s been excellent and I expect him to get better.
“We’ll assess it. I’ll sit down with him at some point towards the end of the season and take it from there. Do we know the fee involved? Yeah. But clearly the player would have to agree as well, it’s a two-way situation. But I can see Paulo is really enjoying his time here. He is improving and developing. Is the fee realistic? I’m not going to say what it is but, absolutely, otherwise it wouldn’t be in place.”