Everton have won the race to sign Brazilian attacker Bernard on a free transfer – as covered by Sky Sports News on Monday night.
Bernard is available on a free this summer having seen his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk expire at the end of the 2017-18 campaign.
A number of clubs have been credited with an interest, but West Ham United were said to be confident of securing a deal ahead of their Premier League opener against Liverpool this weekend.
According to Sky Sports News, however, Bernard is heading for a medical with Everton as he prepares to sign a long-term contract with the Merseyside outfit.
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The 25-year-old is a 14-time Brazil international, and scored 28 goals and registered 35 assists in 157 appearances in all competitions for Shakhtar before his departure.
Everton boss Marco Silva is said to have played a key role in securing the move, with West Ham missing out on the chance to sign the versatile attacker.
The West Ham fans have been reacting to the news on social media – a selection of which can be seen below:
Arsenal rejected a loan offer from Lazio for Joel Campbell on transfer deadline day, but the attacker could still end up leaving the Emirates, according to La Nacion.
What’s the word?
There were no shock deals for the Gunners on Thursday when the window closed.
Manager Unai Emery had been rumoured to be after a defender and a winger, but in the end he settled for the business that he had already completed.
Defenders Stephan Lichtsteiner and Sokratis joined as part of the summer spending, while Bernd Leno is expected to replace Petr Cech as first-choice goalkeeper.
Lucas Torreira has come in to strengthen the midfield, while Matteo Guendouzi has been earmarked for the future.
In terms of outgoings, four players were wiped from Arsenal’s books, including Lucas Perez and Jack Wilshere, while three have been sent out on loan.
At the moment, Campbell is staying put, but according to La Nacion, the Gunners turned down a loan bid from Lazio on deadline day.
The report suggests that the 26-year-old could still leave on a permanent deal by the end of August.
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Should Arsenal sell?
Campbell has been with the Gunners since 2011, but he has failed to land himself a regular spot in the team.
The Costa Rica international, who has been capped 79 times for his nation, has had six loan spells since moving to the Emirates.
With Emery now at the helm, a new era has begun at Arsenal, and it is time to offload some of the fringe players.
It is understandable that the club turned down a loan offer as it is best for both parties if a permanent agreement is struck.
As ever, the summer has brought with it the usual twists and turns of the transfer window that keep us fans on the edge of our seats.
With the shortened window, clubs were even more pushed than usual to identify their targets before the opening round of Premier League fixtures and it was clear to see who was organised and who left it a little late, or even those that didn’t get going at all.
It’s always a precarious business to predict which new signings will make waves at their new clubs and which ones will flop but there have no doubt been some big successes from this summer and others who would much rather forget it.
So here’s our list of the winners and losers from this summer’s business after a hectic few months…
Winners – Ageing English goalkeepers
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It’s fair to say that Rob Green and Lee Grant wouldn’t have been high up on Chelsea and Manchester United fans’ wishlists this summer.
38-year-old former England international Green was snapped up on a free by the Blues after spending one year at Huddersfield where he failed to make an appearance.
35-year-old Grant moved from relegated Stoke City to Manchester United for a reported fee of £1.5million after making three appearances for the Potters last season.
Not only have the two heavyweight clubs upped their home grown quota with these signings, they’ve also offered them a lovely contract in the twilight of their playing careers where there’s next to no chance they’ll feature in a match of any importance.
There’s never been a better time to be an old English goalie.
Phil Jones
Manchester United’s pursuit of a central defender this summer wasn’t exactly a secret, with a variety of top-class centre-backs from all across Europe linked with a move to Old Trafford.
However, the hunt proved fruitless and it appears Mourinho will have to make do with what he’s already got.
While this is bad news for most people connected with the club, there’s good news for Chris Smalling and Phil Jones who look set to continue featuring in the United back four.
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Maybe Jones will finally live up to the great promise he showed back in his early days at United and fans will laugh at the suggestion they needed another centre-back this summer.
It’s certainly unlikely but he has another chance to prove doubters wrong this season.
Fulham and Wolves
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It’s always a big step up from the Championship to the top flight and one way to give yourself the best possible chance is to buy quality.
Fulham and Wolves have both certainly done that this summer, with big-name stars such as Jean-Michael Seri, Andre Schurrle, Joao Moutinho, Leander Dendoncker and Rui Patricio joining the promoted clubs.
Cardiff have also made some good acquisitions from the Championship but it’s hard not to be impressed with the talent that’s arrived at Craven Cottage and Molineux.
If their spending can assure their continued Premier League status come May then every penny will have been more than worth it.
Losers – Daniel Levy
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It seemed like things really were changing for Tottenham.
The only London club playing Champions League football this season, moving into an exciting new stadium and playing attractive football with some great English talent under one of the best coaches around – what’s not to like?
However, Daniel Levy’s failure to bring a single new player into the Tottenham squad this summer is quite something.
Of course, the financial strain of a new stadium is understandable, but they are the first club not to sign anyone since the transfer window began in 2003.
Levy will be an unpopular figure among Spurs fans and should things go pear-shaped this season and if Mauricio Pochettino is poached by another club, many will point the finger squarely at the chairman.
Jack Grealish
The 22-year-old is evidently a class apart in the Aston Villa team and it seemed like the time was right for him to make the step up to a big six club.
With Villa’s playoff final defeat, it seemed the natural move with the youngster’s ability deserving of Premier League football.
It appeared almost inevitable that he would go to the top flight at one point, but it also never seemed close and now the midfielder is consigned to another year in England’s second division.
Villa may not get as big an offer next year if a club comes in for him and it seems a shame for such a talent not to be tested at the very top.
Loris Karius
No one can imagine the pain that Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius has gone through this summer.
The 25-year-old had a solid season for the Reds last year, right up until the biggest game of his life when he made a pair of fatal errors in the Champions League final.
The German was heavily criticised for his role in the defeat, even by his own fans, and it seemed certain that Liverpool would have to buy an upgrade.
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When Jurgen Klopp asserted that Karius would remain his no.1, people were understandably bemused, but everyone also wanted to see him put his horrors behind him and establish himself as the top goalkeeper he has shown himself to be on occasion.
It must have then been galling to see Klopp suddenly splash out what was then a world record fee for a goalkeeper which relegates Karius to no.2 with little chance for redemption.
The Hollywood scriptwriter in all of us wants him to make amends for Liverpool but sadly he will find it difficult to replace Alisson between the sticks.
Loads of Tottenham fans have been leaping to the defence of their manager, after Younes Kaboul lashed out at Mauricio Pochettino.
You’d be hard pushed to find a manager that has a better relationship with the fans than Pochettino, so it’s perhaps no surprise that fans are hitting back at Kaboul.
The towering centre back was loved in North London thanks to his colossal stature and aggressive style of play, but he’s blotted his copybook now.
Kaboul was captain under Pochettino, but has spoken in the past about their fractured relationship, and has bashed the Tottenham boss again.
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“On the field, nothing to say, very good manager, with a philosophy and a style of play that works,” the 32 year-old said.
“Personally, it’s the opposite. He’s two-faced. He would say things to you and did the complete opposite behind your back.”
“I didn’t like that, and I told him. That’s all.”
The centre back made over 100 Premier League appearances for the club, but hardly any of them came under Pochettino, and he left for Sunderland soon after the Argentine’s arrival.
He is now playing for Watford, who will host Spurs at the start of next month.
Fans are crucifying Kaboul for his comments, and you can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
It’s been a difficult start to the season for Celtic, recently crashing out of the Champions League after a defeat to AEK Athens.
The Hoops also suffered a 1-0 defeat away at Hearts, far from a perfect start of the season for a team which has just won successive trebles.
After the defeat in Greece to Athens, Brendan Rodgers slammed his side, claiming they did not defend properly. Losing this game was a major financial blow for Celtic, and Europe was surely deemed important by both the club and Rodgers, after having already proved they are comfortably the best side in Scotland with successive treble-winning seasons.
Rodgers can look to the transfer market to bring some new energy to Celtic Park, and save their season.
Here are three players who would be ideal for Brendan Rodgers…
Robert Huth
The Premier-League winner would bring great experience and leadership qualities to Celtic Park.
The 33-year-old German is a free agent after his contract with Leicester City came to an end. He is valued by Transfermarkt at £2.25m.
His experience would be valuable to Rodgers, and particularly after he criticised his side for not being able to defend properly, he would bring a great solidity and organisation to the Celtic Park outfit.
Hatem Ben Arfa
An immensely talented player, the 31-year-old Frenchman is available on a free after his contract with PSG in Ligue 1 came to an end.
Ben Arfa has already shown what a talent he is in the Premier League in his spell with Newcastle United.
His capabilities on the wing would be a huge bonus for Rodgers, as would his ability in the cross.
Yaya Toure
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Another Premier League winner, Yaya Toure is an outstanding talent. Seeing as his brother Kolo played for Celtic, and is now in the management set-up, it is surely possible the ex-Manchester City and Barcelona player could be tempted by a move to Glasgow.
The 35-year-old is a powerhouse in the middle of the park, and his experience would be of a huge benefit for Celtic. Available on a free, Rodgers should do everything to get this deal done.
Rangers remain in the hunt for Liverpool forward Dominic Solanke but will have to hope that Divock Origi does not seal an exit from Anfield, according to The Daily Express.
What’s the word?
Linked with Rangers throughout the summer, Dominic Solanke’s future is still in limbo heading into the final few days of the European transfer window and he could still move north of the border from Liverpool this week.
Steven Gerrard is eyeing further additions to his squad before Friday’s deadline and Solanke is a potential option to bolster his attack, although The Daily Express states any move depends on Divock Origi’s future at Anfield.
According to The Liverpool Echo, the Reds are still hopeful of offloading the Belgium international amidst reported interest from Turkish giants Besiktas but are only prepared to sanction a departure if they receive a suitable offer.
If Jurgen Klopp’s side do not receive such an offer for Origi, then the outcast will be handed a chance to prove himself in the squad until the January transfer window – which would then open the door for Solanke to move to Rangers.
Is he needed?
Earlier this summer, a deal bringing Dominic Solanke to Rangers on loan would have been an excellent option for Steven Gerrard’s side but the circumstances have significantly changed in the months that followed.
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Rangers now have Alfredo Morelos, Kyle Lafferty and Roma loanee Umar Sadiq as options to lead the line, with Morelos starting the season in solid form and Lafferty hitting the ground running on his return to the club after scoring a brace in a 3-3 draw with Motherwell.
That gives Gerrard three capable options to select at Ibrox this season and it is therefore not clear how many opportunities Solanke would earn with the Scottish giants, with Rangers no longer in need of his services.
Troy Deeney truly put in a captain’s performance on Sunday as his side came from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur at Vicarage Road. The 30-year-old guided a header into Michel Vorm’s top corner to bring the Hornets level, and then proceeded to put in an all-action performance as the home side marched on to a famous victory.
Javi Gracia’s men have started the new Premier League campaign in blistering fashion, with four wins out of four matches so far. Long-serving leader and talismanic club icon, Deeney, has been at the heart of the good form. After a frustrating season last time out, the forward is now back to his best.
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Watford fans are loving their captain’s return to form and will be hoping that he can maintain this level throughout the campaign to help his side steer well clear of the relegation dogfight. Many of the Vicarage Road faithful took to Twitter after the match to celebrate Deeney’s dominant showing against Spurs…
Loads of Newcastle fans have been heaping praise on Rafael Benitez, after the Magpies’ boss was one of a select group to attend the annual UEFA Elite Coaches Forum.
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There is a massive divide right now between the ambitions of pretty much everyone involved with Newcastle United and the ambitions of owner Mike Ashley.
Perhaps the one show of ambition the Magpies’ infamous owner has made in the last few years is bringing in Benitez, and the Spaniard was once again selected to attend UEFA’s Elite Coaches Forum this week.
Every year the top bosses from around Europe meet up to discuss the challenges facing European football, and Benitez’s presence shows once again how foolish Ashley has been not to match his ambitions.
The Magpies have a world class manager at the helm, respected by his peers and the rest of the footballing world, and fans are now crucifying Ashley and the constant stream of pundits who speak out against “Rafa”.
You can find some of the best Twitter reactions down below…
Leeds travel to Millwall this weekend in it what will be a tough game for the promotion contenders.
Under Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds have turned into one of the most entertaining and dangerous sides in the Championship. Individually, Kemar Roofe, Samu Saiz and Kalvin Phillips have improved massively under the Argentinian manager.
However, with Bielsa’s high-tempo and high-energy style of play also comes the risk of injury and the need to use the full remit of his squad. To backup Kemar Roofe, Leeds signed Chelsea man Patrick Bamford in order to be an adequate replacement should the striker get injured.
Unfortunately for Leeds, Bamford has picked up a knee injury and will be out for four months and with that in mind, the Yorkshire Evening Post is reporting that Bielsa could turn to youth player, Tyler Roberts.
The Breakdown
Making his full international debut for Wales against Ireland last week, Roberts is a striker that has plenty of potential and although he wasn’t in the first-team reckoning at the beginning of the season, he could be about to break into Bielsa’s squad.
The Welsh striker joined the club in January, having been on loan at Walsall from West Brom for the first half of the season. While at the League One club, Roberts scored five goals in 17 appearances for the club but unfortunately picked up an injury and didn’t manage to make an appearance for the Whites since his arrival.
He’s made the bench three times this season and with Bamford out, he could well be about to be given a chance to make his mark.
Chelsea will be looking to maintain their 100% start to the new Premier League campaign when they travel to the London Stadium to face West Ham on Sunday afternoon.
However, the hosts registered their first win of the season against Everton last time out and will be looking to see their upturn in form maintained against the Blues. As well as the resurgent Hammers, Maurizio Sarri may also have some tired legs and travel weariness to contend with following his side’s midweek Europa League exertions.
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One selection dilemma Sarri will face is whether to start either Willian or Pedro on the right flank – assuming, of course, that Eden Hazard will maintain his left-wing berth.
Pedro has begun the new season in impressive form and already has three goals to his name. However, when Willian was introduced to proceedings last weekend, he produced a stunning long-range finish to get himself off the mark too.
Both Pedro and Willian are top class players, but given Pedro’s current form he deserves to retain his starting place against West Ham.
What do you think, Chelsea fans – should Sarri stick with Pedro or bring in Willian instead?