According to a report by the Portuguese news outlet A Bola, Celtic has expressed their desire to secure midfielder Paulo Bernardo permanently from parent club Benfica. Although there is a £6.4 million buy option in Bernardo’s current loan agreement, Celtic is looking to negotiate this amount.

The young Portugal U21 international has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, especially in the four matches leading up to the winter break. However, he has struggled to maintain consistency in his performances over the campaign.

In his 25 appearances across all competitions for the club, Bernardo has notched three goals and two assists, amassing a total of 1,315 minutes on the pitch. Praised for his technical and defensive abilities, the 22-year-old often falls short of making a significant impact on games, drawing comparisons to Matt O’Riley’s challenges in the previous season as he ceded his spot to Aaron Mooy.

Bernardo has been a consistent presence for Portugal U21s, featuring in every European qualifier and playing nearly every minute of those games.

While Bernardo possesses undeniable talent and the potential to develop into a versatile midfielder, the debate lingers on whether his performance justifies the potential transfer fee required to secure his permanent stay in Glasgow.