FOR £3M ADAM IS ALL YOURS!
Norwich won’t stand in Idah’s way for permanent switch to Hoops as Benfica give green light on Bernardo deal
CELTIC have been told the door is open to push for permanent deals for Paulo Bernardo and Adam Idah in the summer.
The Hoops can land midfielder Bernardo (right) for around £6m at the end of his season in Scotland while a fee of £3m plus will need to be thrashed out with Norwich for January loan signing Idah.
But Benfica boss Roger Schmidt and Canaries gaffer David Wagner have both insisted the players will have their final say in their futures.
Bernardo was a slow burner at Celtic Park following his arrival last summer but has emerged as a key player with Reo Hatate out injured.
The 22-year-old – who notched in the Old Firm win in December – is understood to be happy in Glasgow and warm to the possibility of a permanent move.
Idah checked in last week and made his debut from the bench in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
The 22-year-old Republic of Ireland cap’s impact caught the eye and boss Brendan Rodgers will assess the striker over the coming months before deciding if he wants to make the move long term.
Benfica gaffer Schmidt admitted he is keeping close tabs on Bernardo – but hinted he won’t stand in the youngster’s way if he has his heart set on staying in Scotland.
He said: “You have to remember it’s also about the will of the player and what he wants to do.
“With all the players who leave Benfica, the idea is to give them the opportunity to develop and gain confidence. And of course, it’s always an excellent opportunity for Benfica to watch them. The aim is to have a good overview of all the players. But we have to make difficult decisions afterwards at the end of the season, because we also have to respect the player’s wishes.”
Meanwhile Norwich gaffer Wagner insisted he would have been happy had Idah remained at Carrow Road to fight for his place.
But he revealed the attacker determination to get to Parkhead forced his hand. Wagner (above) said: “We have to say after Adam made his point clear that he likes to go on loan, for me what was clear that when we can find an alternative it makes no sense to keep someone who is desperate to go on loan.
“I totally respect Adam’s decision and his thoughts. At the right moment I backed this because our aims and targets are too high and we have to have a group who’s committed 100 per cent.
“The chance popped up quite late to get maybe Sydney [van Hooijdonk] on loan, and then with an option to buy as well, so it was the perfect scenario.
“I got Adam’s point. And this is why I backed this decision. Even if I would have been fine if he wanted to stay and fight for his spot. I want players desperate to be here and to push for our highest target, and for this everyone’s mind has to be right.
“And now we know which group we have together.
“It is not the biggest numberswise to be fair. I said let’s make a tight group who is desperate to push every day, to work every day, and where everybody can sniff that he has a chance for the starting shirt.
“And make sure we keep this competitiveness on the highest level.”
I totally respect Adam’s decision and his thoughts about wanting to join Celtic