Manager Arsene Wenger demanded a form guide on the £20million-plus rated attacker and may now follow up his interest with a bid after hearing how he helped Atletico Mineiro overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Paraguay’s Olimpia to lift South America’s version of the Champions’ League.
Liverpool and Tottenham were also locked in a scramble to sign Bernard, along with Porto, Borussia Dortmund and Shakhtar Donetsk, but they may now have been deterred by Mineiro’s valuation.
Wanted man: Arsenal sent scouts to watch Atletico Mineiro's Bernard win the Copa Libertadores
Jubilant: Rever holds aloft the trophy after his team's penalty win over Paraguay's OlimpiaBernard’s agent Adriano Spadoto appeared to confirm as much, with a Facebook message that read: ‘Negotiations with Tottenham and Dortmund have cooled, due to the high asking price.’
But an imminent breakthrough for Arsenal appeared to be on the cards, as Spadoto then wrote on Twitter: ‘Congratulations Bernard. Double winner! Confederations Cup, Libertadores .. the perfect farewell.’
Sportsmail revealed last Friday that a rush to sign Bernard was about to be sparked, following confirmation he was ready to quit Mineiro after the Copa Libertadores final second leg.
Liverpool and Tottenham both made enquiries, while Porto had a £15.5million bid rejected by Mineiro president Alexandre Kalil, who set the asking price at just over £20million but may accept around £18million.
Future star: Bernard celebrates his goal in the semi-final against Newell's Old Boys; he scored four goals in the tournament
Fee: it is believed a bid of around £20million will be enough to bring the player to north LondonBernard’s four-goal tally in the Copa Libertadores left him just two behind the tournament’s top scorers and underlined why his combination of pace and finishing has made him a prime target for some of Europe’s top clubs.
Arsenal scouts looked on as the 20-year-old laid on the second of two second-half goals that forced extra time against a stunned Olimpia. His late cross was headed in by Leonardo Silva, and, after a goalless extra 30 minutes, Atletico ran out 4-2 winners in the penalty shoot-out.
The pacey wide player, who favours the left flank, hinted afterwards that he may now be on his way, saying: ‘I don’t know what will happen to me from tomorrow, but I made it clear I wanted to leave here with a big title, so I have fulfilled my goal.’
Old master: Ronaldinho added another trophy to a brimming cabinet
Celebrations: Richarlyson shows his delight on top of the goal
