BLUES BAG BERNARD FOR FREE

EVERTON have pulled off a spectacular transfer window coup with the capture of Brazil star Bernard.

The Blues have beaten Chelsea, Inter Milan and West Ham to the signing of the 25-year-old winger.

Director of football Marcel Brands, chairman Bill Kenwright, and owner Farhad Moshiri were deep in negotiations with the Samba star all weekend.

And Everton have pulled off a huge deal by landing the Brazil international on a five-year deal.

Bernard was available on a free transfer after refusing to renew his contract with Shakhtar Donetsk, despite a big-money offer from the Ukraine club.

He has been tracked by both Inter and Chelsea for much of the summer, and was the subject of a huge contract offer from West Ham.

But after the player’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, spent the weekend immersed in talks with Everton officials, the player has chosen Goodison Park, even though their terms were below the figure offered by the Hammers.

Everton also made an official £28million bid for Barcelona defender Yerry Mina yesterday, but they still face stiff competition from Lyon for the Colombia international.

Bernard’s arrival on Merseyside will mean the departure of Yannick Bolasie, with Crystal Palace interested in re-signing their former winger, who joined the Blues for

£25m in

2016.

BERN FREE Everton landed Bernard and could sign Yerry Mina (left)