Sport
Celtic New Decision; £4M Man Exit As To Look for Bring In World-Class Target
In an attempt to clear their schedule and free up salary space for the possible acquisition of Caoimhin Kelleher, the Scottish Premiership winners, Celtic, are looking to send Alexandro Bernabei on a loan move while he is in South America.
HITC Football understands that, as Celtic hope to bring in the goalkeeper who’s heroics secured Jurgen Klopp the EFL Cup a fortnight ago, Alexandro Bernabei’s exit is a step in the right direction for a club aiming to trim a few fringe players from their squad.
Despite finding minutes a little more frequent in recent weeks, the £4 million signing from Lanus remains very obviously second choice behind fellow left-back Greg Taylor at Parkhead.
Alexandro Bernabei could leave Celtic today
HITC understands that Bernabei is not in Brendan Rodgers’ long-term plans. And sources at Celtic have confirmed that the 23-year-old has touched down in South America as he closes in on a loan move. Internacional in Brazil is the Argentine’s likely destination.
The Brazilian transfer window closes tomorrow, on March 7th. As such, Internacional – presuming that is where Bernabei is destined to end up – will have to move quickly if they want to get the all-action wideman through the door before the deadline passes.
Time will tell Bernabei’s departure will help pave the way for Kelleher’s arrival in the summer. The Republic of Ireland international is Celtic’s top pick to replace the departing Joe Hart.
HITC knows that there is also interest in Trabzonspor skipper and Turkish star Ugurcan Cakir. Celtic, however, have watched Kelleher for a number of years.
The talented shot-stopper will not come cheap, however, either from a wage perspective or considering his likely transfer fee. Kelleher, who was labelled ‘world-class’ by Liverpool team-mate Virgil van Dijk after that stellar Wembley display against Chelsea, has another two years left on his contract at Anfield.
Odsonne Edouard – a £9 million signing from Paris Saint-Germain in 2018 – is currently Celtic’s most expensive-ever signing.
Hart’s fellow goalkeepers Scott Bain and Benjamin Siegrist, meanwhile, are also facing uncertain futures north of the border.
Liel Abada should follow Bernabei out the door too. MLS outfit Charlotte FC have agreed a deal worth just shy of £10 million for the Israel international.
