Alexandro Bernabei admits it’s a dream to follow in the footsteps of Argentine icon Diego Maradona by charting a course to Europe. Celtic ’s new £3.75 million left-back is overjoyed at landing a switch from his native South America to Parkhead.
The 21-year-old officially sealed his transfer from Lanus on a five-year contract with Ange Postecoglou ’s squad. Bernabei now joins the likes of Lionel Messi as an Argentine currently based in Europe and hopes his dream move can one day see him into the senior international squad.
Maradona was, of course, a hero of the country when he led them to World Cup glory in 1986 having also been a favourite son of Italy and Spain following spells at Napoli and Barcelona. Bernabei had an opportunity to meet the great man before he passed away with a picture to prove it.
And, although the kid would never dream of being compared to a Maradona or a Messi, he hopes he can emulate the pair’s longevity and success in the European game.
Bernabei said: “First of all, he (Maradona) is a World Champion and I had a chance to meet him when there was a friendly between Lanus and Gimnasia.
“For me it was just really, really meaningful to be able to meet him. For my career and also for my life, for all Argentinians. I don’t think I’m at the stature of the best like Messi and Maradona. I wouldn’t make that comparison,
“However, I would really like to follow in their footsteps in terms of playing in Europe for as long as I can. It was a dream of mine to come and play in Europe
“For me, being the first Argentinian player at Celtic means I would like to open the door for a lot more Argentinian players to come to the club. I hope this will allow me one day to make another one of my dreams come true and play for the (senior) Argentina national team.”
With Bernabei joining Cameron Carter-Vickers, Daizen Maeda and Benjamin Siegrist in penning permanent deals, Jota is next in line to sign up. The Portuguese winger could be unveiled today with agreements understood to be in place with the player over a four-year contract and selling club Benfica.
Celtic will pay just over £6 million for the winger, who enjoyed a superb campaign on loan at Parkhead from the Lisbon giants last term. The 23-year-old’s confirmed arrival will offer another huge boost to fans and Postecoglou as he builds his squad for the upcoming title defence and tilt at the Champions League group stage.
Jota’s arrival would take the summer count to five with the manager still on the lookout for a midfielder and a central defender is also being sourced, despite the collapse of Christopher Jullien’s proposed transfer to Schalke.
The French defender headed to Germany to finalise a deal with the Bundesliga outfit after agreement over a loan deal was reached between the clubs.
Jullien even underwent medical examinations at the Bergmannsheil hospital in Gelsenkirchen with the deal close.
However, the 29-year-old’s advisors and Schalke sports director Rouven Schrouder were unable to strike a deal and the defender’s intended switch was called off.
Jullien, who made just one sub appearance for Postecoglou after recovering from a serious knee injury, could still go with Ligue 1 sides Rennes and Lorient understood to be keen on his services.
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