Arsene Wenger is having a tough time in this transfer window. After so much rumour about Bernard joining the Gunners, things have now seem to gone against them. Atletico Mineiro director Eduardo Maluf has boldly rejected all the speculations.
The 20-year old Selecao star was a member of the Brazilian team that won Confederations Cup few days back. Apart from that, Bernard helped his current club Atletico Mineiro to lift Copa Libertadores for the first time in club’s history.
Since then, he has become a prime target for a host of leading European clubs like Porto,Liverpool, Shakhtar Donetsk,Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund. All of them have been linked up with the Brazilian winger. But Arsenal have been the front runners to get him.
But much to the fans disappointment, the financial dispute may also hammer this deal. Arsene Wenger’s unwillingness to spend money for youngsters may prove dear this time. Maluf director so far rejected any possibility of Bernard getting a transfer.
“Arsenal already denied Bernard’s link. Bernard is a major player, but the president made it clear that if a team offers €25M, we’ll sell him,” Maluf told Brazilian source Esportes.
So far, the Brazilian winger has appeared in 114 matches in club level and managed to score 35 goals. Considering him as a winger, it is quite an achievement for a 20 year old kid.
Meanwhile, Gunners forward Theo Walcott has sent a warning to the league contenders. Arsenal have been linked up with eminent strikers this season like Higuain, Suarez or Rooney, although it seems they won’t get any of them. But that does not stopped them from firing goals in their pre-season friendlies. Arsenal have already kept the ball 17 times in the net in their three games so far.
And this turns out to be the reason behind Walcott’s confidence. “We know what we need to do this season,” he said. “Everyone knows their jobs. I think we can just take the positives out of the last 11 games of the season when we were undefeated. If we take that form into the start of the new season, we’ll be in good stead. Everyone is at the top of their game at the moment. Everyone’s very fit and, come the start of the season, we’ll be flying.”
So far, Theo Walcott has played 263 matches for the Gunners and managed to score 63 goals.