Everton snapped up Bernard on deadline day last week.
According to Globo Esporte in Brazil, Everton new boy Bernard rejected the chance to re-sign for Atletico Mineiro this summer as he completed a move to Goodison Park instead.
The Toffees took a little while to get going in the summer transfer window, but ended the summer with six new faces as Marco Silva’s squad was boosted.
Richarlison and Lucas Digne were snapped up, and as deadline day arrived, Everton pounced to land four additions in the final hours of the summer transfer market.
Barcelona duo Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes reunited with Digne, whilst Kurt Zouma signed on loan from Everton, with Bernard rounding out Everton’s business.
Brazilian playmaker Bernard is a signing which has really captured the imagination of Everton fans, with some feeling that the diminutive playmaker – at home on the left or centrally – could be somewhat similar to Philippe Coutinho.
Now, Globo Esporte report that Bernard spent time over the summer training with former club Atletico Mineiro, and they actually made him an offer to make an emotional return – but he snubbed it in favour of a move to England.
The 25-year-old made his name with Atletico Mineiro, scoring 22 times in 100 games for them before heading to Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013, where he has spent the last five years.
Now seems to be the right time for Bernard to test himself in the Premier League, and Atletico Mineiro would seemingly have the door open for him to return, and a move closer to his 30’s would make much more sense.
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