Benfica manager Roger Schmidt has expressed openness to the possibility of Bernardo extending his stay at Celtic beyond his current loan spell, stressing the importance of the player’s desires in determining his future.
Bernardo, who has gradually become a regular starter in the Celtic squad after initial struggles for game time, has himself expressed enjoyment of his period at the Scottish club, where he has hit form leading into the festive season.
With Celtic holding an option to buy the midfielder for a fee of £6-£7 million in the summer, the door appears open for a permanent move, contingent on the player’s preference.
Schmidt opened up on a possible permanent exit for the player to Celtic. Directly quizzed on the youth internationalist, he said: [The Herald]
“You have to remember it’s also about the will of the player and what he wants to do.
“With all the players who leave Benfica, the idea is to give them the opportunity to develop and gain confidence.
“And of course, it’s always an excellent opportunity for Benfica to watch them.
“The aim is to have a good overview of all the players.
“But we have to make difficult decisions afterwards at the end of the season, because we also have to respect the player’s wishes.”
Bernardo’s situation at Celtic, thus, will likely be closely monitored by both clubs as the season progresses, with the player’s perspective playing a crucial role in the eventual outcome.
