£13.5 million Everton man still wanted despite failed January transfer
Everton offloaded a total of five players on deadline day- four first team players and Beni Baningime of the U-23 team. Apart from the loan departures of Jonjoe Kenny, Cenk Tosun and Anthony Gordon, Jonas Lossl left the Goodison Park permanently. There was a possibility that another Everton player would leave on a permanent transfer but the deal fell through in the last stages.
Everton winger Bernard was reportedly on his way out of the club. Since the beginning of the January transfer window, the Brazilian was continuously getting linked with an Everton exit. First, AS Roma were considered as strong contenders to land Bernard with Giallorossi boss Paulo Fonseca eyeing reinforcements in the attack. The Serie A outfit managed to sign Stephan El Shaarawy, closing the gate to any sort of deal with Bernard.
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The 28 year old has had difficulties in cutting into Carlo Ancelotti’s regular plans. Bernard has just started two Premier League games so far and made four substitute appearances. In order to get better playing opportunities, the Brazilian was hunting for a new club. Dubai based A Nasr came in offering Bernard a way out of Everton and also offering certain transfer fee for a permanent transfer.
Bernard move to Al Nasr fell through
The former Shakhtar Donetsk man arrived at Finch Farm on a free transfer so the fee at which the Toffees would sell him would be a straight profit on the books. However, on transfer deadline day, Liverpool ECHO reported that the deal had collapsed and Bernard would be staying at Everton.
The player had missed the Newcastle United game with the anticipation of a transfer to Al Nasr but the deal collapsed and he joined the squad for the training session ahead of the Leeds United game.
According to Goal, Al Nasr’s officials found Everton’s demands too high which lead to the breakdown in talks. Bernard had already agreed to a move to Dubai but a failed transfer meant that he stays with Everton.
The report added that Al Nasr remain interested in signing Bernard in the next window and have conveyed the same to his entourage. Everton’s intention is to cash in on the Brazilian to further reinforce the squad.
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Bernard will have just 12 months left on his deal when the summer transfer window opens. Until then, Carlo Ancelotti will have the 28 year old in his squad and hopes to give him more minutes.