Could West Ham United be about to lose former Shakhtar Donetsk star Bernard to Premier League and London rivals Chelsea?
A Brazilian international attacker is a free agent and, unsurprisingly, there are clubs all over the world taking a keen interest – including West Ham United.
According to O Jogo, West Ham have been in talks with the 25-year-old Bernard, who saw his five-year spell at Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk come to an end earlier in the summer.
It was reported that the Hammers have offered Bernard a lucrative contract, complete with wages of £68,000 a week and a £6.2 million signing-on bonus. This came shortly after the 14-capped winger rejected a money-spinning move to China.
Now, new reports in Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte are claiming that Bernard would love to live in London – but don’t get too excited West Ham fans.
The report states that Manuel Pellegrini’s side are one of 12 to make proposals for the versatile attacker. But Bernard is reported to have made Chelsea his first priority.
A skilful and creative attacker who scored ten goals in all competitions last season, Bernard could fit in perfectly in a Chelsea side now managed by the purist Maurizio Sarri.
But, should he get his dream move to Stamford Bridge, this will be a disappointing end to a prolonged pursuit from London rivals West Ham. Globo Esporte also states that Leicester City are interested but Bernard’s hopes of a move to the capital could rule them out.
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