OPINION
West Ham could land the bargain of the summer if they are successful in their pursuit of Brazil forward Bernard.
The Londoners have turned their attention to signing the 25-year-old after coming up against a brick wall in their long-running pursuit of Lazio forward Felipe Anderson.
Italian journalist and broadcaster Alfredo Pedulla has claimed on his personal website the Hammers have held very positive talks in recent days with intermediaries for Bernard.
He is available on a free transfer after his exit from Shakhtar Donetsk was made official, meaning any club would just need to agree personal terms.
There is likely to be intense competition for such a notable talent, a player who Manuel Pellegrini reportedly wanted to sign while he managed in China.
Bernard has been capped 15 times by Brazil and is entering his peak years after spending the last five years in Ukraine, where he has been a key player for Champions League regulars Donetsk.
In 157 matches for the club, the left-sided forward has scored 28 goals and supplied 35 assists, with the 2017-18 campaign yielding 10 goals from 29 appearances before he suffered a shoulder injury at the start of March that prematurely ended his season.
Those are the kind of statistics that will make Irons’ mouths water.
The club are in need of greater firepower from out wide, especially as the writing appears to be on the wall for Michail Antonio.
With the on-off talks for Anderson yet to result in an agreement, Bernard would be a superb alternative.
Given that he would be £40million cheaper, it would be a low-risk signing that makes total financial sense.
