Celtic transfer state of play as Bernardo buy option emerges but Leeds United told where to go over O'Riley

Celtic are pushing for a box office loan deal for Benfica ace Paulo Bernardo as part of the Parkhead club’s late transfer dash.

The Portugal under 21 midfielder has been told by boss Roger Schmidt he is not part of his first team plans and will be allowed to head out for the season. The 21-year-old is understood to have a huge £90m buy-out clause in his contract – which runs until 2027. But Record Sport believes Benfica would be willing to negotiate a more reasonable purchase option 12 months down the line. Bernardo was tipped as a star of the future when part of Benfica’s B team and made the breakthrough into the senior side in 2021.

The playmaker made 17 appearances for the top team but was farmed out on loan to Pacos de Ferreira in the second half of last term. Celtic face competition for his services from clubs in Spain and Italy but are hoping the path taken before former Benfica kid Jota could persuade the youngster to Scotland.

Celts snapped up Jota on a loan deal and then triggered a £6.5m move 12 months later – before cashing in with a bumper £25m sale to Saudi Arabia. The Hoops are would love to bag Bernardo in similar style – but are chasing several targets going into the final few days of the window.

Winger Luis Palma’s £3.5m switch from Aris in Greece is a done deal and is expected to be rubber-stamped in the next 48 hours. But it is understood boss Brendan Rodgers has has dropped his interest in Denmark under 21 ace Mathias Kvistgaarden.

The Hoops held talks with the Denmark under 21 international but stopped short of lodging official bids. Brondby made it clear they were looking to bank more than £5m for the striker but Celts cooled their pursuit once Palma was on board.

Rodgers is in the market for a