Celtic now close to completing deal to sign midfielder

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates victory at the final whistle after the UEFA Europa League group C match between Leicester City and Legia Warszawa at Leicester City Stadium on November 25, 2021 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LEICESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 25: Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates victory at the final whistle after the UEFA Europa League group C match between Leicester City and Legia Warszawa at Leicester City Stadium on November 25, 2021 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

Celtic appear to be moving fast in the transfer market now. They announced the signing of Luis Palma earlier today but it is quite clear that the club have no plans of stopping just there. Rumours appear to suggest that they are on the verge of bringing Liverpool centre-back, Nat Phillips, to Parkhead on a season-long loan. And a midfielder could follow him through the entrance door.

To be honest, most did not feel like Celtic were in any urgent need of signing another midfielder. But Reo Hatate has not impressed since the arrival of Brendan Rodgers as manager and is out injured currently.

David Turnbull impressed early on but has not been able to maintain that form. And the club never really ended up replacing Aaron Mooy, who retired after winning the treble with the Hoops last season.

Celtic have signed a couple of midfielders this summer in Odin Thiago Holm and Kwon Hyeok-kyu. But it looks like Rodgers wants another option in the middle of the park.

Celtic now close to completing deal to sign midfielder

As reported by ZeroZero, Celtic and Benfica have practically everything agreed for a Paulo Bernardo loan deal. It will be valid until the end of this season.

Bernardo was very highly-rated while coming through the ranks at Benfica but has not been able to showcase his quality at the senior level. He spent the second half of the last season out on loan at Pacos de Ferreira. Now, Celtic looks set to be his next destination.

Of course, any such move would remind Celtic of how they signed Jota on a similar deal from Benfica. And it is safe to say that that turned out quite well for the club as the Portuguese winger established himself as a superstar at Parkhead before leaving in a £25 million deal this summer.