Everton summer signing Bernard was handed the chance to re-sign for his former club Altetico Mineiro before he chose to head to Goodison Park, according to Globo Esporte.
The Brazilian news outlet claims that Atletico tabled Bernard, 25, a big offer for him while Chinese Super League clubs also tried to sign the attacker after his contract at Shakhtar Donestsk expired.
Bernard eventually joined the Toffees on transfer deadline day last week but was not present in the matchday squad that drew 2-2 with Wolves at Molineux on Saturday.
OPINION
While Atletico Mineiro may have offered him a big contract to sign for them, in comparison to Premier League money it probably wouldn’t have been anywhere near. Everton have done well to sign Bernard, who has been a quality player for Shakhtar over the last few years. A return to Atletico would have certainly been a romantic move for the 14-times Brazil international, but he is certainly ready to challenge himself in the Premier League with Marco Silva as his boss. It’s likely that Silva played a major role in luring Bernard to Goodison Park. The Portuguese boss has already got the best out of Richarlison in his spell at Watford and managed to sign him for the second time in the space of around 12 months for the Toffees. Silva obviously has the magic touch with Brazilians so maybe if the ex-Hull boss can last until next summer, we will see another wave of South Americans making their way to Merseyside.