Everton 'pip Chelsea, West Ham United to Bernard signing'

Everton have reportedly held off competition from Premier League rivals West Ham United and Chelsea to secure the signature of Brazilian winger Bernard.

The Toffees have pounced for the 25-year-old following strong suggestions that he was on the brink of a move to either the London Stadium or Stamford Bridge.

Bernard is a free agent after leaving Shakhtar Donetsk at the end of last season and has been weighing up his options, with Inter Milan and Tottenham Hotspur also making contact with the versatile attacker's agent.

According to the Daily Mail, however, Marco Silva has pulled off a big coup by persuading the 14-cap Brazil international to join him on Merseyside.

Everton are close to announcing the free transfer, and the same report indicates that Silva was a crucial factor in Bernard's decision.