Paulo Bernardo sees Celtic transfer return hit stumbling block as 'difficulty' emerges with Benfica star's demands

Celtic are reportedly having 'difficulty' meeting Paulo Bernardo's wage demands - which has slowed down a potential return to Parkhead.

Playmaker Bernardo spent last season on loan under Brendan Rodgers and showed his class at times - stepping up to the plate mid-season when Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor were out injured. He also came off the bench to help down Rangers in the Scottish Cup final, and the Hoops have been keen to take him back to Glasgow permanently. There was an option to buy in the region of £6m in his loan agreement, but it was reported earlier in June that Celtic had got round the table to negotiate that price tag down.

But just as that hurdle looked to have been cleared, it now seems another has emerged. Record in Portugal say it's not the club, but the player himself, making things difficult. They say Bernardo is pushing for a similar wage to the one he is on at Benfica, but that Celtic are 'having difficulty' meeting those demands.

Bernardo's existing deal at Benfica is the same contract he signed as a highly-rated 18-year-old in February 2020, when he was viewed on the same trajectory as Joao Felix and other stars who have since made them mega money. As such, Record note he is on a substantial salary and unwilling to agree to what Celtic are offering at present. However the Portuguese outlet say the deal is not a closed book yet with negotiations still pressing ahead.

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