Porto and Shakhtar battle for Bernard; Marseille confirm interest in Thauvin

Porto and Shakhtar battle for Bernard

FC Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk are vying for Atletico Mineiro midfielder Bernard, reports ESPN Brazil.

Alexandre Kalil, the president of the Brazilian club, has promised to open negotiations with interested clubs as soon as Atletico are eliminated from Copa Libertadores, and with his side having lost 2-0 to Newell’s in the first leg of the semi-final, that looks set to become a reality.

While a number of top European clubs were reportedly keen on the 20-year-old, ESPN Brazil has suggested that Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Porto are leading the chase at the moment.

Former Porto official, Luis Goncalves, who now works as a head of scouting team at the Ukrainian club, has been keeping close tabs on Bernard for a while now.

He was recently in Brazil to try and sign midfielder Fernando from Gremio and the Atletico Mineiro star, but could only close the deal for the former.

Meanwhile, FC Porto officials have excellent relationship with Alexandre Kalil as well as the player’s representatives and they are hoping that will help them lure the player to Estadio do Dragao.

Bernard has been showing a lot of promise at Atletico of late, while he even made two appearances for Brazil at the 2013 Confederations Cup.

Marseille confirm interest in Thauvin

Marseille president Vincent Labrune has moved to confirm reports linking the French giants with a move for Lille midfielder Florian Thauvin.

OM have already signed Dimitri Payet and Benjamin Mendy, but they aim to continue summer recruitment in an attempt to mount a serious title challenge next term.

While admitting that a deal for Rennes star Romain Alessandrini has fallen through, Marseile chairman Vincente Labrune confirms that Florian Thauvin could still arrive at Stade Velodrome.

“This is an issue that will be revived in the coming days in harmony with the regulations and in accordance with LOSC (Lille),” Labrune told reporters in Switzerland.

“We still haven’t figured out why we missed the opportunity in January. We will wait as long as necessary, but we will always be there for this player.”

Florian Thauvin was sold to Lille in January 2013, but was allowed to finish the season at Bastia, where he largely impressed to score 10 goals in 32 league fixtures.

The 20-year-old seems to have regretted joining les Dogues and he is reportedly hoping to sign for Marseille this summer.

Tremoulinas nears Dynamo Kiev switch

French newspaper Le Parisien is reporting that Dynamo Kiev are on the verge of signing defender Benoit Tremoulinas from Bordeaux.

The full-back has reportedly already agreed personal terms with the Ukrainian club, but the two clubs have yet to agree on a transfer fee.

It is, however, believed that Dynamo’s offer in the region of €7 million is going to be accepted by les Girondins.

Tremoulinas has spent his entire professional career at Stade Chaban Delmas, but recently expressed his desire to leave the club for a new challenge.

During the six years he spent at Bordeaux, the 27-year-old has made a total of 165 Ligue 1 appearances and scored 5 goals.

Dynamo Kiev have already made several high-profile signings this summer, having recruited Younes Belhanda, Facundo Perreyra, Jeremain Lens and Dieumerci Mbokani.

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