Celtic have been pretty busy over the last few days as they try to strengthen this squad, after an underwhelming start to the season. The club have already announced a couple of signings recently. Luis Palma is believed to have been signed in a £3.5 million deal from Aris FC while Nat Phillips has arrived on a season-long loan from Liverpool. With Deadline Day upon us, it looks like another signing is close.
The next area that Celtic look set to strengthen is their midfield. That is a curious decision to be honest, when you consider the depth they have there at the moment.
The club have Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate, David Turnbull, Odin Thiago Holm, Tomoki Iwata, Kwon Hyeok-kyu, James McCarthy and Ismaila Soro. That is a lot of depth for just three positions on the pitch.
But as tweeted out by Anthony Joseph, Benfica midfielder Paulo Bernardo arrived in Glasgow yesterday and completed a medical ahead of a move to Celtic. It’s understood the deal is a loan with an option to buy.
Medical complete as Celtic set to make Deadline Day signing
Of course, the last time Celtic signed a player from Benfica on a season-long loan deal with an option to buy, it turned out to be an absolute masterstroke. Jota emerged as a superstar for the Hoops.
Celtic fans will be hoping that Bernardo goes on to have a similar impact at the club as well. No official announcement has been made yet but it only looks like a matter of time.
Bernardo was incredibly highly-rated while coming through the youth ranks and was considered the future of Benfica’s midfield. Of course, things have not gone as smoothly for him. Let’s see if he is successful in resurrecting his career at Celtic Park this season.