Celtic: Journalist provides Bernabei update

Celtic are now on the brink of completing a deal to sign Lanus full-back Alexandro Bernabei, according to Argentinian journalist Cesar Luis Merlo.

The lowdown: Hoops’ interest

The Hoops have been heavily linked with a move for Bernabei for a number of days and it now appears that the switch to Celtic Park is closer than ever.

Having flown to Glasgow from Buenos Aires last week, the 21-year-old is expected to sign a five-year deal at Parkhead as Ange Postecoglou seeks competition for Greg Taylor.

After completing the signing of Ben Siegrist and Cameron Carter-Vickers already this summer, the Scottish champions could be entering the final stages of another deal…

The latest: Medical completed…

Taking to Twitter, Merlo has confirmed that the player has undergone a medical in Scotland and is therefore edging towards becoming a Bhoy.

He stated: “Alexander Bernabei has already had a medical check-up in Scotland. Celtic are preparing the contract for him to sign in the next few hours until June 2027. Lanús sold 90% of its record.”

Previously it’s been reported that the Hoops will pay £3.75million to sign the attack-minded full-back who was recently tipped as a player with a ‘big future’ by football talent scout Jacek Kulig.

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The verdict: Almost there

All being well over the coming hours at Lennoxtown and Bernabei – – who boasts impressive dribbling, finishing and defensive contribution attributes (WhoScored) – should be part of the squad that flies out to Austria on Monday for a pre-season training camp.

During the ongoing 2022 South American season, the Argentine has scored twice and provided two assists in 15 appearances across all competitions and should arrive into Postecoglou’s squad fit and raring to challenge Taylor for the first-choice left-back berth.

Overall the energetic Argentina youth international has earned a sensational 7.57 Sofascore rating whilst winning 7.2 duels, making 1.2 key passes and 1.2 interceptions on average per game in the CONMEBOL Sudamericana.

Recently dismissed after 70 minutes against CA Colon, Bernabei may still face suspension at the start of the 2022/23 Scottish Premiership campaign and will likely take some time to settle into life in a new environment and indeed a whole new style of play under Postecoglou having predominantly operated in a back four of a 4-4-2 in his homeland.