Arsenal could move for Brazil’s World Cup forward Bernard, as they look to continue their summer spending spree.
The Gunners are on the verge of completing deals for Barcelona attacker Alexis Sanchez and Newcastle United full-back Matthieu Debuchy, and manager Arsene Wenger could now turn to Bernard as he seeks his next major purchase.
Goal.com have suggested that Arsenal are targeting a second marquee forward signing this summer, and have been alerted to the fact that the 21-year-old wide player is keen to move on from current club Shakhtar Donetsk, just 12 months after leaving his homeland to join the Ukrainians.
Shakhtar value Bernard at around £20m, and Wenger is understood to be keeping tabs on the player as his Arsenal side put the finishing touches to the capture of Sanchez.
The Gunners boss was on TV punditry duty as Bernard started for Brazil in their 7-1 World Cup semi-final humiliation at the hands of Germany on Wednesday night, playing in place of Neymar. Wenger has received encouraging scouting reports of the youngster, and is looking to add further pace and mobility to his attack.
He found his attacking options somewhat limited last season, with only Olivier Giroud, Nicklas Bendter and Yaya Sanogo to call on in terms of out-and-out strikers, and could see the Brazilian as the ideal solution.
Arsenal are confident of wrapping up the signing of Sanchez before the end of the week, although Barcelona are keen not to sanction the Chilean’s departure until they have finalised Luis Suarez’s transfer from Liverpool.