Arsenal set to lose Bernard to Porto in €25 million deal

Arsenal seem set to lose their summer transfer target – Atletico Miniero winger Bernard – to Porto as the 20-year-old’s father told O Jogo that his son would prefer to follow in the footsteps of fellow Brazilian Hulk and join Porto.

“Nothing is decided yet, but we know there is an interest from Arsenal,” he said. “There has been nothing official from them. Hulk has convinced Bernard that Porto move would be better for him at this stage of his career. Porto would be a better move for his career.”

Bernard’s agent Adriano Spadotto also said that his client would, in all likelihood, make the move to Portugal.

“I can confirm that is the strongest possibility, but Shakhtar are interested too. He should join one of the two clubs.

“If it is up to me, Bernard will be a Porto player. As I have said, this would be the best solution for him. He would prefer to join a middling, but good, club in Europe rather than risk joining an elite club and not getting the chance to play. Bernard has great interest in going to Porto,” the agent was quoted by Mais Futebol.

However, Bernard will be allowed to leave his club only if his club have a satisfactory offer for him.

“The president has made it clear: if we have a great offer, he will be sold and you will know, but he plays for Atletico-MG and this speculation has been going for months,” Eduardo Maluf, director of football at Miniero, said.