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Celtic are yet to decide whether to activate the option to buy Paulo Bernardo from Benfica. The 22-year-old joined on a season loan from the Portuguese side with an option to buy of £6m.

However, Portuguese outlet Record, Celtic have not indicated that they will take up the option to buy the midfielder.

The report states that the clubs have not engaged in any more talks regarding the future of Bernardo. Although, there has been reports previously that Celtic had been keen on negotiating a lower fee for the Portuguese U21 Internationalist.

Bernardo has made 31 appearances, scoring four goals and assisting on three occasions. Rodgers clearly rates the Portuguese midfielder but it was always a case that he’d be coming in to supplement the first pick trio of Matt O’Riley, Reo Hatate and Callum McGregor.

Celtic will likely receive a lot of interest in the summer from top teams for Matt O’Riley. The Danish midfielder has been outstanding this season, clearing up at the POTY awards. Bernardo is of a similar profile to O’Riley and Celtic could look to develop him as they have done with the ex-MK Dons midfielder.

This article first appeared on The Celtic Star and was syndicated with permission.

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