OPINION
West Ham could pull off the bargain of the summer if they succeed in winning the race to sign in-demand Brazil international Bernard.
That prospect now looks increasingly likely after a journalist with excellent Hammers contacts reported on Friday morning that the club are “increasingly confident” of signing the wide forward before the transfer window shuts.
With seven senior signings already sealed, Daily Mail sports editor Lee Clayton revealed a deal is now close for yet another attacking player in Bernard as he hailed his boyhood side for “going for it”.
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
Certainly, Bernard has plenty going for him and it is understandable why he has attracted widespread interest from major European clubs this summer after running down his contract at former club Shakhtar Donetsk to become one of the most attractive free agents on the market.
Chelsea are among those who are said to have been in talks to sign him, while interest from the likes of Italian giants AC Milan has been strongly mooted in recent days.
The left-sided forward has been capped 15 times by Brazil and, aged 25, is entering his peak years after spending the last five years in Ukraine, where he has been a key player for Champions League regulars Donetsk.
In 157 matches for the club, Bernard scored 28 goals and supplied 35 assists, with the 2017-18 campaign yielding 10 goals from 29 appearances before he suffered a shoulder injury at the start of March that prematurely ended his season.
That ruled him out of the World Cup but did not deter the demands of the player and his representatives.
The reliable Ex-WHU Employee revealed in an exchange with a West Ham fan on Twitter this morning that Bernard has been holding out for a package worth £200,000-a-week.
I am doubtful over the Bernard signing because his wage requests were £200k and i am not sure it’s a position we need so im doubtful but Lee is usually reliable so will try and find out today ? https://t.co/SKw9rGHfUG
— ExWHUemployee (@ExWHUemployee) August 3, 2018
It is highly unlikely that West Ham would stretch anywhere near that figure, even a player who Manuel Pellegrini reportedly wanted to sign while he managed in China.
Nevertheless, supporters should be excited at the tantalising possibility that Bernard could be competing for a starting place with Felipe Anderson, Marko Arnautovic and Andriy Yarmolenko on the opening day of the Premier League season.