Arsenal are closing in on Atlético Mineiro star Bernard according to reports emerging in England.
The Daily Mail claims that Arsenal have opened talks with the Belo Horizonte outfit over a potential £21 million move.
This follows their ‘exclusive’ earlier this week that Liverpool and Tottenham had enquired for the player but now it seems that Arsenal may have stolen a march.
Atlético Mineiro president Alexandre Kalil was on record earlier this summer claiming that €25m was the asking price for Bernard, with a €70m release clause according to some reports.
The trio will have to be wary of competition from FC Porto for the 20-year-old’s signature, with the Portuguese giants holding the advantage due to their links with third party investors BMG.
BMG own 50% of Bernard’s playing rights and have close links with Porto which could see them pay half the asking price for Atlético’s share.
But any English clubs interested would have to pay the full fee as the FA have banned third party ownerships in England.
