FOOTBALL: Arsenal is Ready to pay £21million for Bernard

Arsenal are on the verge of finally making their first major signing of the summer as they close in on a club record deal for Brazil international Bernard.

Tottenham, Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, Shakhtar Donetsk and Porto have also been keen to buy the Atletico Mineiro but Arsenal are in advanced negotiations with Atletico Mineiro over a £21million switch.

Sources in France suggest Bernard has agreed a five-year contract worth £50,000-a-week after tax and will be in London on Friday for a medical.

The 20-year-old is a highly rated play maker in Brazil and can operate on the wing or in the centre of midfield.

He has five caps and hopes to be part of Brazil’s squad when they host the World Cup next year. Bernard has already enjoyed an impressive career for Atletico and has scored an impressive 21 goals in 97 appearances for the club.

The Arsenal manager has £70m to spend on players and is desperately looking to buy a striker to strengthen the frontline. However, he is in serious danger of losing out to Napoli for Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain while Liverpool continue to insist Luis Suarez is not for sale.