Chelsea are sudden favourites to land former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Bernard.

The Brazil international is currently a free agent after being allowed to come off contract at Shakhtar last month.

Globo Esporte says AS Monaco, Benfica, West Ham United, Leicester City, VfL Wolfsburg, Palmeiras and Chelsea. And the Blues are now favourites to land Bernard.

Bernard is in talks with Chelsea and is excited by the prospect of playing in England and living in London.

The player's representatives are pushing Chelsea to meet their €6m-a-year demands.