Arsenal set to rival League Champions for £12million rated playmaker

According to reports, North London giants Arsenal are prepared to fight off the likes of Merseyside giant Liverpool and Premier Champions Chelsea for Shakhtar Donetsk attacker Bernard.

As per a report from UOL, the Premier League giant are among a number of heavyweight clubs tracking the Brazil international forward’s contract situation in Ukraine, with his deal at Shakhtar Donetsk rapidly ending.

The Ukranian side are ready to do everything within their power to keep hold of the playmaker beyond the expiration of his deal, which ends this at the end of this season, but it seems as though the attacking midfielder will look elsewhere for greener pastures and will not be without clubs wanting to secure his services.

It’s reported by various media that Shakhtar are open to bids in the winter transfer window, with them wanting to take a transfer fee from Bernard’s exit instead of letting him leave for free at the end of the season The valuation is set at only £11.5million, the Mirror claims.

The Gunners could be searching for alternatives to German international Mesut Ozil, who will possibly leave at the end of his current contract, and Brazilian Bernard would represent a like-for-like replacement considering his creative skills and ability to play anywhere up front.