Addressing Paulo Bernardo Reports

Celtic’s negotiations to secure Paulo Bernardo on a permanent deal from Benfica have reportedly encountered a significant hurdle concerning the player’s wages.

Despite the Scottish club’s efforts to finalise a transfer at a reduced fee, discrepancies in wage expectations may derail the move, claim Portuguese outlet Record.

Last summer, Celtic and Benfica had agreed upon a £6 million buy-out clause as part of Bernardo’s loan agreement. However, Celtic is now pushing to lower this figure to £3.5 million.

Portuguese media suggest that the wage gap could be a dealbreaker, with Celtic reportedly unwilling to match what Bernardo earns at Benfica. Despite these claims, there are reasons to question the accuracy of these reports.

According to Salary Sport, Bernardo’s weekly wage is around £5,800. Although this figure might be understated, it’s unlikely that his salary at Benfica is any higher than what Celtic could offer, especially considering they managed to meet Jota’s demands previously.

The primary financial obstacle appears to be the transfer fee rather than the wages. Bernardo himself is eager for the clubs to reach an agreement, indicating that personal terms may not be the main issue after all.

It’s certainly one to keep an eye on, with the transfer window now open in Scotland.