Celtic agree £3.5 million transfer fee as another deal close

Things are now picking up pace for Celtic in the transfer market after what had been a slow start to the summer in terms of incomings. The club are believed to be on the verge of signing two goalkeepers. Kasper Schmeichel looks set to join as a free agent while a deal for Viljami Sinisalo of Aston Villa is rumoured to be close as well. And now, it looks like a midfielder could join them through the entry gate.

That player is none other than Paulo Bernardo. The Portuguese midfielder spent last season on loan at Celtic Park and had a solid time.

Bernardo was not a starter for Celtic when everybody was fit and available but he did show quite a bit of potential and had a decent role in the team. And he appears to have shown enough to convince the club to try and sign him on a permanent basis.

As tweeted by Stephen McGowan, Celtic and Benfica have agreed a £3.5 million transfer fee for Bernardo. The player terms are now being worked out.

Celtic agree £3.5 million transfer fee as another deal close

Signing someone like Bernardo might be important for Celtic, as Matt O'Riley is likely to leave this summer. The Danish international was the club's best player last season but that has led to him catching the eye of some of Europe's best teams.

Celtic already turned down an attempt from Atletico Madrid to sign O'Riley in the winter. It is hard to imagine that the player would pass up on a similar opportunity again, if it did present itself this summer.

Bernardo showed quite a bit of promise during his loan spell at Celtic. Of course, there are areas of his game where he needs to improve further, especially his output. But if he can do that, he can be a very important player for the Hoops.