West Ham United are keen to bring Manchester United defender Di’Shon Bernard to the London Stadium this summer after impressing at Hull City.
That’s according to The Sunday Mirror (17/04, p71), who claim that West Ham are now plotting a move to land Bernard.
West Ham scouts have allegedly been making regular checks on Bernard ahead of a potential deal.
David Moyes sees huge potential in Bernard and whilst Manchester United rate him highly, West Ham think they can offer a route to first-team football.
That has to be appealing to Bernard, whose route to playing time at United seems tricky at best.
Bernard, 21, was born in Wandsworth in West London and actually came up through the Chelsea ranks just like Declan Rice.
United pounced to sign Bernard in 2017 and he has made just one first-team appearance for the club.
Bernard spent time on loan at Salford City last season, playing 31 games.
Gary Neville was effusive with his praise of Bernard on the Class of ’92: Full Time, hailing his aggressive style of defending.
“Di’Shon Bernard has done really well since he’s gone in at centre back,” said Neville. “On the front foot, steps in front, pushes up a little bit, makes us more aggressive. I’d like to sign him full-time but I don’t know if United would let him go.”
“He’s the type of player we need. Young, hungry, wants to develop a career for himself.”
“We wouldn’t be able to replace him like-for-like; players who can pass like he can, run like he can, got the physicality that he has, the talent, the ability to read the game – he’s a really good player,” he added.
This season, Bernard has been on loan at Hull City in the Championship. Featuring mostly as a centre back, the youngster has also played as a right back.
That versatility may be why Moyes fancies bringing Bernard to the London Stadium, and a return to the capital has the appealing.
Any West Ham interest in a United player will lead to questions about them being thrown into a bid for Declan Rice.
In the case of Bernard, we would suggest that his career would be better served at West Ham than United – and hopefully Rice isn’t involved.
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