Bernard: Scout Report

Transfer Situation

As aforementioned, Bernard has attracted official bids in the past. However, those bids were not a win-win situation for both club and player. Bernard’s potential development would’ve been put well at risk had he moved to the Middle East or Russia. Atletico Mineiro wouldn’t have received as high a transfer fee then, compared to what they would realistically expect to receive at this point in time.

With a good few years in Atletico Mineiro’s first-team under his belt, of which the recent 2 years have been Bernard’s breakthrough, Bernard is now ready to move on to bigger and better things, with all due respect to Atletico. What matters now is that Bernard chooses his next move for footballing reasons than any other incentives.

At the time of writing, Bernard is valued on Transfermarkt at €10m. However, Atletico Mineiro will be looking for a much higher price than that, perhaps closer to €15m or €20m. The young attacker has been linked with a move to Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia Dortmund, FC Porto, Spartak Moskva (again) andAS Roma. All of those moves would be financially attractive to any young footballer. However, closer inspection suggests that a much closer look should be taken. Any move to Russia should be out of the picture, purely down the fact that Bernard can do much better.

*(At the time of writing, the latest price-related news comes from Portuguese newspaper A Bola, who have reported that Atletico Mineiro President Alexandre Kalil has set Bernard’s price at €25m.)*

Chelsea wouldn’t be a wise choice at this stage of the Brazilian’s career. While the money on offer would, in all likelihood, be higher than other potential suitors, Bernard wouldn’t get the required regularity of games needed to kick on to the next level. Tottenham could be a viable option, with Andre Villas-Boas being the main draw. However, the much-talked-about physicality of English football could be “too much, too soon” for a move out of South America. Furthermore, the spotlight of the English media and tabloids wouldn’t be a good thing for Bernard at this point in time.

Borussia Dortmund would represent a good starting point for Bernard’s career in Europe. The attractiveness of a move to the Signal Iduna Park would be the stability of German football, and BVB in particular, the charisma and nous of Jurgen Klopp and the fact that the core of the Schwarzgelben is relatively close to Bernard’s age group. Also, UEFA Champions League Football is more-or-less a yearly guarantee at Dortmund. With the departures of Mario Götze and (probably) Robert Lewandowski, Bernard will have a good chance of cementing a regular starting spot while BVB are going through a “transition” phase. Die Borussen have reportedly been in direct negotiations with Bernard’s club but, as expected with each club fighting for a self-beneficial deal, they aren’t close to a concrete deal yet.

“Dortmund rumours? I am very happy here, I have a contract until 2017 but it all depends on the manager’s decision.” - Bernard on a possible move to Borussia Dortmund

“I talked a bit with Bernard and explained the philosophy of this country (Germany). He is a talented boy who will adapt to Germany. If that is his desire then I hope he will do it. I gave him some tips. He may not have a physique like many other players but he is a player who would suit Borussia Dortmund’s style of play.“ - Bayern Munic’s Brazilian international Dante on his Seleção colleague Bernard

If Bernard were to take the much-plodded route of moving to a smaller league before moving upwards, a move to Portugal would be pragmatic. Porto are looking to sign a replacement for the recently-departed James Rodríguez, while Benfica will be needing to shake-up their team after a disappointing “Neverkusen”-esque performance in the 2012/13 season.

While Roma would also be a good move, with the prospect of an attacking triumvirate of Francesco Totti, Erik Lamela and Bernard being extremely enticing, the pressures that are continually placed on the Giallorossi wouldn’t be conducive for Bernard’s development. In Calcio, Bernard could either be an absolute star or a pressure-induced flop. Put in his boots, would anyone really take that chance..?

“There is no chance I will leave before the Copa Libertadores. I have made that clear to Atletico. If they want to sell me, do so after the Libertadores. I want to make history at this club. There is nothing right now, just speculation. The club’s president has said I am unlikely to stay, that it will be hard to keep me, so I am waiting on a decision. If he decides something, we will sit down and talk and decide what is best for everyone”. - At the time of writing, the latest quote from Bernard himself [Globo Esporte]

Quite clearly, Bernard is a driven young talent who knows what he wants. From a fairytale-esque standpoint, a Copa Libertadores triumph would be the perfect way for Bernard to end his time at his beloved Atletico Mineiro, and also provide him with a good platform to make his long-awaited leap into European Football.

All in all, I personally believe that a move to Borussia Dortmund or Portugal would be best for Bernard’s overall development and long-term career prospects.

Whatever the case, I’d confidently assert that Bernard will be a name that football fans worldwide will be hearing a lot more of over the next decade.

*(At the time of writing, Globo has reported that Atlético Mineiro have only received 1 offer for Bernard so far, a €12m bid from Borussia Dortmund. Tottenham Hotspur are expected to offer more in the next few days.)*