West Ham are confident of signing Brazil winger Bernard in the final days of the transfer window, according to a reliable journalist.
Daily Mail sports chief Lee Clayton, who is renowned for his Hammers links, reported on his personal Twitter account on Friday morning that the Hammers are primed to continue their summer spending spree with the acquisition of the 14-times Brazil international.
Clayton explained that Hammers top brass are “increasingly” full of belief they can win the race for Bernard, who is available on a free transfer after leaving Shakhtar Donetsk earlier this summer.
West Ham growing increasingly confident of signing Bernard, Brazilian international and another attacking wide player. I think that’s known as going for it. ????
— Lee Clayton (@LeeClayton_) August 3, 2018
Good move for West Ham?
Definitely. West Ham have already recruited two A-list wide forwards this summer in Felipe Anderson and Andriy Yarmolenko, but the team were in need of attacking firepower even before Manuel Lanzini suffered the shattering knee injury that will rule him out for the majority of the upcoming season. Bernard is a left-sided forward who has spent the last five years in Ukraine, where his 157 Shakhtar matches yielded 28 goals and 35 assists. Technically gifted and capable of producing moments of magic in the final third, he could be a Premier League sensation.
This Is Futbol rating 9/10
Likely to happen?
This is not a done deal yet, as Bernard is a player in demand given his Bosman freebie status. Moreover, his wage demands are reportedly very high (it has been stated he was holding out for £200,000-a-week), with his camp safe in the knowledge clubs will be willing to hand him a generous contract given there will be no fee involved. Nevertheless, Clayton is an excellent source of Hammers news, and is know for being close to a member of the board.
This Is Futbol rating 8/10