Bernard deal would be coup over London rivals for West Ham United

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West Ham United’s impressive summer transfer activity does not look ending just yet. After incredible deals to sign Andriy Yarmolenko, Felipe Anderson and Jack Wilshere the Hammers now want to sign Brazilian international Bernard.

As reported by O Jogo, West Ham have offered the Brazilian star a €7 million (£6.2 million) signing on fee. Bernard, who is a free agent after leaving Shakhtar Donetsk, is also set to make around €4 million (£3.5 million) a year at the London Stadium.

West Ham first have to beat Benfica to his services. But if they did, it would be a huge coup bringing in a player that most of London have wanted in the past.

In the summer of 2013 both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur were being heavily linked with a move for the Brazilian star Bernard.

“We had offers from Tottenham, and according to my Atletico president Arsenal were interested too, but didn’t have the money. All of it happened in a moment Europe was facing a serious financial crisis, so there was interest from various teams, but the only one able to pay straight away was Shakhtar.”

– Bernard after deals to head to England collapsed in 2013

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The attacking midfielder was looking to make his move to Europe from Atletico Mineiro and it seemed London could be the location.

No deal ever came about for the player and, in the summer of 2014, he told FourFourTwo magazine that the English clubs were not prepared to pay the £21.5 million for his services upfront – unlike Shakhtar.

Chelsea have also been linked with the player. As reported by Brazilian site UOL in November last year, the Blues were keen on agreeing to a free transfer for the player

West Ham would, therefore, be bringing in a player who has been wanted at each of London’s top three clubs. It will be interesting to see if Bernard does sign for West Ham and if he can help the Hammers close the gap to their city rivals.