Everton to sign Brazilian Bernard on a free transfer

Everton have captured the exciting Brazilian talent Bernard, holding off the challenge of a number of clubs at home and abroad.

The deal is on the brink of being announced, subject to a work permit, and will arrive at Goodison Park on a free transfer.

It is considered an excellent coup for Marco Silva whose personal intervention swung the deal Everton's way.

Bernard, 26, had been considering offers from Chelsea and West Ham as well as AC Milan and Inter Milan. Tottenham were also linked with the player but hadn't made their intentions clear.

He has recently been on the front page of Italian newspapers, who were already heralding his arrival in Serie A.

Ambitious West Ham, big spenders in this window, were confident at the end of last week but they were unclear on his role in the team and have an abundance of flair attackers.

The player, who cost Shakhtar Donetsk £40million in 2013, can play as an inside forward coming off the left side or a No 10 behind a striker. He is believed to be looking forward to playing with countryman Richarlison and invites the prospect of a formidable partnership at Goodison Park.

Everton are believed to be preparing their social media announcement of the player who made a huge impact at the 2014 World Cup.

Bernard has 14 caps for Brazil and is said to be looking forward to rebooting his career in the Premier League.

With the window closing on Thursday, Everton are happy to have completed this business especially with Chelsea's emergence in the process late on.

He had been the subject of interest of a number of elite clubs when leaving Atletico Mineiro in 2013, but chose to follow a number of other Brazilians in moving to the Ukrainian top flight.

But the move did not pan out as he had hoped and a career that once appeared destined for the top has since stalled and he was one of several players to be ousted from the Brazil national team.