Paulo Bernardo’s time at Celtic last season can only be summed up in one word. Success.
Despite a slow start to his loan spell at the club, the Portuguese midfielder became an integral part of Brendan Rodgers’ double-winning side.
Seemingly preferred for Champions League matches at the start of last season, Bernardo‘s domestic career was spent mostly on the Celtic bench.
However, from the 23rd of December onwards, the 22-year-old was crucial for Celtic’s push for the title and featured in all but one of Celtic’s fixtures up until the top-six split and played a major part in the Scottish Cup winning goal to seal the double.
Now back at Benfica, there is still chat surrounding whether or not Bernardo will make a return to Paradise and what’s currently happening at Benfica may well muddy the waters where his immediate future is concerned.
Benfica set to make a new signing
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Benfica are set to sign former Mainz midfielder, Leandro Barreiro. The Luxembourg international spent last season on loan at the Portuguese club and is now out of contract.
According to the report Barriero is in Benfica at this moment looking to seal a deal to make last season’s loan move permanent.
If that move goes ahead, Bernardo will drop even further down the pecking order at the club and could likely speed up his move out of the Estadio da Luz.
The report goes further and says that Bernardo is ‘involved in exit processes’ but doesn’t go any further to explain any possible destinations.
With salary concerns stalling a move to Glasgow, where the Portuguese U21 captain will end up now is anyone’s guess
The Celtic fans will be hoping that Bernardo still makes the switch to Paradise especially if the recent Matt O’Riley transfer rumours come to fruition.
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