According to Brazilian site O Tempo, Arsenal and Atlético Mineiro have agreed a deal to bring Brazil playmaker Bernard to North London for a fee of around £21m.

This comes after multiple sources, including L’Equipe, claimed yesterday that the Mineiro midfielder would travel to London at the end of the week to complete his medical ahead of a proposed move. However other reports claimed that a decision on the player would only be made after the Copa Libertadores final on Thursday.

As reported on Arsenal Latest yesterday the 20-year-old versatile midfielder has been a target for Tottenham, Shakhtar Donetsk, FC Porto and Borussia Dortmund. But if reports are to be believed Arsenal have beaten their competitors in the race for his signature. Bernard has scored 21 times in nearly 100 appearances for the Brazilian side and now has 5 caps to his name.

Following Arsenal’s 3-1 victory over Nagoya Grampus however, Wenger claimed that the reports of a deal being done were not true. This naturally prompted Arsenal fans to go into meltdown as Arsene has a habit of denying deals that are close to being completed.

Another midfilder?

However questions are being asked about whether yet another midfielder is the sort of player we are desperately in need of. After Cazorla last season and with Arsenal essentially playing a three man midfield, logic would dictate that central players are the one thing we have an abundance of.

Bernard can play on the wing as well so could make up our front three. Being predominantly left-sided he would have to take Podolski’s position

It seems illogical for Arsenal to sign a player who plays in a position where we actually have depth.

With recent defensive injuries and our well documented desire for a new striker, spending a club record £21m on a midfielder doesn’t seem like a good idea.

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