Brazil winger Bernard has admitted his love for the Premier League and how he could have joined Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur.
The 21-year-old will be the youngest member of Luiz Felipe Scolari's squad after being named in the Samba Boys' final selection for the 2014 World Cup finals.
Bernard, who has 10 international caps and one goal to his name, left his homeland last year, leaving Atletico Mineiro for Shakhtar Donetsk in a €25 million deal.
However, the Belo Horizonte-born forward could have been plying his trade in the Premier League this season, having been courted by both north London giants throughout the summer transfer window.
Speaking exclusively in the June 2014 issue of FourFourTwo, Bernard says: "We had offers from Tottenham, and according to my Atletico president Arsenal were interested too, but didn't have the money. All of it happened in a moment Europe was facing a serious financial crisis, so there was interest from various teams, but the only one able to pay straight away was Shakhtar."
Political unrest in Ukraine has prompted fresh speculation that the youngster could seek a move away from the turmoil-hit country after the World Cup.
But although Bernard is happy to admit his admiration for the English top flight, he insists he has not thought about leaving Donetsk, saying:
"No. Really. It might change if there's a situation that forces us out of the country, to break our contracts, but I'l only consider it if any offer comes in the future.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
"It [the Premier League] is the best league in the world. I remember watching Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester United alongside my dad. There's no easy game."
Read the full interview with Bernard in the June 2014 issue of FourFourTwo which is a World Cup special, featuring interviews with fellow Samba stars Paulinho and Thiago Silva, plus four of England’s lions: Danny Welbeck, Ross Barkley, Jack Wilshere and Raheem Sterling. The magazine also begins its look at the 50 greatest World Cup matches, reveals a 22-step masterplan for England success in 2022 and recalls the Baden-Baden days of the 2006 tournament when the WAGs hit the headlines. Available now in print and in a specially-designed-for-iPad version.
Gregg Davies is the Chief Sub Editor of FourFourTwo magazine, joining the team in January 2008 and spending seven years working on the website. He supports non-league behemoths Hereford and commentates on Bulls matches for Radio Hereford FC. His passions include chocolate hobnobs and attempting to shoehorn Ronnie Radford into any office conversation.
