In-demand free agent Bernard is close to joining Everton – and many fans of the club are thrilled at the prospect of the 25-year-old arriving at Goodison.
Daily Mail sports chief Lee Clayton reported on his Twitter account on Monday night that he will need a work permit before his transfer is officially sanctioned.
He added that the West Ham interest had cooled and that Chelsea tried to come in late but Goodison boss Marco Silva sealed the deal.
Breaking: Benard to sign for Everton subject to a work permit. More on @MailSport to follow … West Ham interest had cooled, Chelsea came late but Marco Silva sealed the deal.
— Lee Clayton (@LeeClayton_) August 6, 2018
Bernard has been capped 14 times for Brazil and he is the sort of marquee signing that Everton fans were hoping for.
He’ll hook up with fellow Brazilian Richarlison, who was signed earlier in the summer, and fans have flocked onto Twitter in excitement.
One Everton fan said that if he started well he could be as good as Mohammed Salah at Liverpoool.
Another said he was a class act, while other fans marvelled at how Everton had pulled off this deal out of the blue.
Here are the best reactions from excited Everton fans:
https://twitter.com/AdamEFC99/status/1026720136751992833
You can say that again… Bernard to #EFC outta nowhere! https://t.co/QnBxmQc1Ti
— ??? ?????? (@danshanks) August 7, 2018
Bernard's signature comes straight out of the blue. Proof #efc working very hard behind the scenes. Who knows what else is in the pipeline?
— Ryan Reynolds (@Reynolds_R) August 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/SCOA22/status/1026589662377324544
https://twitter.com/alancarson83/status/1026588928709742592
https://twitter.com/Everton_4ever/status/1026587876732137474
https://twitter.com/Will_Coyle/status/1026583613813518337
https://twitter.com/joesworld1878/status/1026575101221715968
Everton replacing 30 year old Mirallas and Bolasie with two young Brazilians in Richarlison and Bernard has gotten me excited for the season again… ??? #EFC
— Pep (@PepsiFIFA12) August 6, 2018
Bernard coming in ?? then complete the Mina signing ??and get another CB and striker in. That would be a great end to the window. Come on @Everton silva and brands can go get use these players before the window shuts #COYB #EFC ???
— lewis barrow (@lewisefcbarrow) August 6, 2018
Bernard is a signing! Made up with that c’mon blues get a couple more through the door #EFC
— Aidan (@AJG_BC) August 6, 2018
BERNARD OMG @drschrebling @robbiemartin09 @Beclfc2005 @waqar_ibn_ahmed @natman_03 @char2146 he was expected to sign for Chelsea! #Silva #Brands #EFC #revolution https://t.co/vjv6Dw40zK
— WM (@w_malik786) August 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/KingPeteEFC/status/1026558089510744064
OPINION
This is a real coup for Everton and fans should be out out of their misery when the 25-year-old Brazilian signs later today. The fact that Tottenham and Chelsea were after him gives you a clear indication of how good he can be, and as he’s a free agent the high wages are a price worth paying. Bernard will need to get off to a fast start and the deal will probably come too late for the weekend games, but Everton fans are right to be excited. Bernard and Richarlison will be a handful for any Premier League defence. Will Bernard be as good as Salah? Unlikely, but Everton fans can live in hope.