Everton have beaten West Ham and Chelsea to the signing of free agent winger Bernard, according to a reliable journalist.
Lee Clayton, head of Sport for MailSport, said that the deal would be concluded subject to a work permit.
He added that the West Ham interest had cooled and that Chelsea tried to come in late but Everton manager 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
Good move for Everton?
A great move. Bernard scored 28 goals and registered 35 assists for Shakhtar Donetsk and will now sign as a free agent for Everton. Chelsea tried and failed to steal him from under Silva’s nose but it’s credit to him for holding fast and ensuring the deal got over the line. Pre-season hasn’t been great for Everton but this will be a major boost for the club and its supporters. Shakhtar signed him for £22.5million in 2013 when he was just 21 and that shows how highly regarded he was. At just 25 he has a huge future ahead of him too.
This is Futbol rating: 9/10
Likely to happen?
It’s all but done, pending a work permit and that should be a formality, as Bernard has 14 caps for Brazil, and will now weave his magic from the wings at Goodison Park. Everton fans can start getting very excited. It probably means Chelsea will hold onto Willian after their failed late bid and heaps more misery on their fans after the disappointment of the Community Shield.
This is Futbol rating: 9/10