£4m man jets out to seal exit as Celtic look to bring in ‘world-class’ target

Alexandro Bernabei is in South America as he prepares to seal a loan move away from Celtic as the Scottish Premiership champions look to clear their decks and make room in the wage bill for the potential signing of Caoimhin Kelleher.

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 7^th. 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.

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