Celtic owed money from £5m transfer as FIFA intervention claim emerges

Celtic sold the Argentine left-back to the Brazilian club in January 2025 after his successful loan spell helped revive a career which had stalled during his time in Glasgow.

Bernabei had struggled to establish himself as a regular at Parkhead, but his performances in Brazil convinced Internacional to make his move permanent in a deal worth around £5million to Celtic.

More than 18 months later, however, questions have emerged over whether the Hoops have received the full amount due.

Brazilian journalist Alexandre Ernst reports that Internacional have failed to keep up with instalments owed to Celtic and believe the situation could result in FIFA intervention.

Ernst said: “Inter is expected to face a transfer ban involving the payment for Bernabei to Celtic.

“The instalments for the Argentine are not being paid, and the full-back is one of the players the club believes will receive a notification from football’s governing body.”

It has not been reported how much money Internacional still owe Celtic or which specific instalments are said to be overdue.