Transfer news: Arsenal and Tottenham target Bernard joins Shakhtar Donetsk for £21.5m

20-year-old Brazilian midfielder had been linked with a move to north London as well as Porto and Borussia Dortmund

Bernard of Atletico Mineiro (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal and Tottenham target Bernard has signed for Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in a deal worth £21.5m.

The Brazilian midfielder was linked with a move to Europe early in the summer, with both the Gunners and Spurs believed to be interested in his services.

The 20-year-old was advised by his Brazil team-mate Hulk to join Porto, and it had been thought that a deal was in place that would see the Atletico Mineiro youngster head to Portugal, but he has instead joined the Ukrainian Premier League champions.

A statement released by the club of their official website read: "Shakhtar Donetsk signed a five-year deal with Bernard.

"The transfer fee for the Brazilian midfielder, who previously played for Atletico Mineiro, is 25million euros (£21.5m)."

Bernard will be a direct replacement for the recently departed left winger Willian – another to be linked with a move to White Hart Lane for some time – who joined Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala in January.

He will clink-up with fellow Brazilians Douglas Costa, Luiz Adriano and Fred, with the lack of foreign player restrictions meaning the club can tap into a wealth of South American talent.

Bernard scored 22 goals in 100 appearances during his three-year spell with Mineiro, and he has already made five international appearances, having made his debut in November 2012.

He helped the Brazilian club overturn a two-goal deficit in the final of the Copa Libertadores to win the two-legged tie against Olympia to win on penalties, and both north London clubs will have been disappointed to have missed out on the hot prospect.

Brazilian hot prospect Bernard already has five caps for the Selecao (GETTY IMAGES)