Bernard Anício Caldeira Duarte

[Grebbo]

Atlético Mineiro president Alexandre Kalil has revealed that both Tottenham and Arsenal failed to follow up on their interest in highly-rated attacker Bernard.

Bernard has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks as the Brazilian was linked with moves to Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Porto as well as the Premier League.

In recent days, Kalil revealed that Shakhtar were the only club with a bid accepted although there are reports that Porto have moved to seal a deal.

But now the eccentric chief has quashed rumours of any deal being agreed with either Tottenham or Arsenal.

"Tottenham made an offer of €18 million for Bernard but they withdrew. Arsenal told us that they would bid but never did so. So what we have now is a €25m bid from Shakhtar," Kalil told Radio Itatiaia.

This now leaves Bernard with only one destination in mind, but his father went public recently with a desire to see his son at Porto.

So we didn't even bid for this player

[LDG]

"We will make a bid in due course........"

"Tottenham made an offer of €18 million for Bernard but they withdrew. Arsenal told us that they would bid but never did so. So what we have now is a €25m bid from Shakhtar," Kalil told Radio Itatiaia"

"Do they not know of the waiting period?"

[Marc Overmars]

We might as well pack up and go home.

[Cripps_orig]

Bernard denies Shakhtar Donetsk agreement as failed bids from Arsenal and Tottenham are revealed

The Brazil international midfielder is expected to leave Atletico Mineiro for Europe this summer but the Ukrainian champions are the only club to meet his asking price

Bernard has insisted a deal with Shakhtar Donetsk has not been agreed despite them being the only club to meet Atletico Mineiro's asking price for the attacker.

The 20-year-old is widely expected to complete a move to Europe this summer and the Ukrainian champions had a €25.4 million bid accepted last week.

Bernard is now set to visit Donetsk but insists nothing is official, after his father revealed the midfielder has set his heart on a move to Porto.

"It's just a visit, there won't be any medical," Bernard told TV Alterosa. "Nothing is certain and I won't sign any documents.

"I made it clear to them that I would only visit so that I could see their facilities."

The Brazil international has previously been linked with a switch to England, with Tottenham and Arsenal strongly interested.

However, Atletico president Alexandre Kalil has revealed both Premier League sides failed with their bids and that Shakhtar are the only side to have met his asking price.

"Tottenham made an offer of €18 million [£15.7m] for Bernard, but they withdrew," he told Radio Itatiaia.

"Arsenal told us that they would bid, but never did. So what we have now is a €25m [£21.8m] bid from Shakhtar."

Bernard has repeatedly stated he will not rush his decision and wants to move to a club where he will be able to play his way into the Brazil squad for next summer's World Cup.

[-Xs-]

So we didn't even bid for this player

It's our new strategy - fail to even launch a bid and then complain when he doesn't join us or goes somewhere else. "The market is crazy" Classic Wenfer

[Grebbo]

So this player is clearly available if we want him.

We must just not want him.

[Özim]

Yeah because if we actually bid for him we'd probably get him and would then have to pay for him.

Plus we're after a few unknown 27 year olds and that's taking up all our time.

[Grebbo]

Tbh there must be a reason why no top clubs want him.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Most of them have already spent all they can afford to spend, without selling.

[Grebbo]

Most of them have already spent all they can afford to spend, without selling.

Well I'm not sure about that. Man Utd haven't spent anything and the Oil clubs don't have budgets.