West Ham are making efforts to pip Benfica to the signing of Bernard this summer, according to reports from Portugal.
The Brazilian playmaker is available on a free transfer this summer after he declined the chance to extend his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk, favouring a new challenge.
Bernard has been linked with a number of clubs across Europe and it appeared as though Benfica were closing in on the signing of the versatile attacker.
However, according to claims from Portuguese news outlet O Jogo, as cited in a report from Sapo Desporto, the 25-year-old has emerged as a target for Manuel Pellegrini’s men.
It’s claimed that West Ham have offered Bernard a lucrative financial package to convince him to join the club, with a signing bonus in excess of €7 million promised. The report also stated that Bernard will be offered a salary worth €4 million per year.
This offer from the Hammers is believed to trump that of Benfica’s. It’s claimed by O Jogo that the Liga NOS giants offered Bernard an improved signing on bonus of €8.5m, but with a salary worth €2.3m – a figure significantly lower than West Ham’s proposal.
The Hammers are closing in on the signing of Felipe Anderson from Lazio and have already landed Andriy Yarmolenko from Borussia Dortmund. It seems, however, that they are still in the market for creative talent.
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