Arsenal are reportedly ready to battle the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea for Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker Bernard.
According to a report from UOL, the Gunners are among a host of clubs tracking the Brazilian’s situation in Ukraine, with his contract at Shakhtar rapidly coming to an end.
Shakhtar are keen to keep hold of Bernard beyond the expiration of his contract, which ends this summer, but it looks as though the creative midfielder will seek pastures new and will not be without potential suitors.
It’s claimed that Shakhtar are open to offers in January, with them keen to take a fee from Bernard’s departure instead of allowing him to walk away for free in the summer. The asking price is set at just £11.5m, the Mirror reports.
Arsenal could be on the lookout for alternatives to Mesut Ozil, who is poised to move on at the end of his deal, and Bernard would represent a potential like-for-like replacement given his creative talents and ability to play across the attacking line.
