Bernard has been given three months to impress Carlo Ancelotti after Everton reportedly snubbed a Deadline Day deal for the midfielder to join Serie A heavyweights AS Roma.

What’s the word?

According to Bernard’s agent Adriano Spadoto, the Brazilian had strived to leave Goodison Park before the international market closed on Monday night, only to be denied by Everton.

Bernard moved to Merseyside as a free agent in 2018 and signed a £120,000-per-week four-year contract following his exit from Shakhtar Donetsk, but has struggled to build on his 68 appearances this term amid difficulties establishing a role for himself under Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian coach has thus far only awarded Bernard minutes in the Carabao Cup against League Two Salford City and League One Fleetwood Town this season, while opting to leave the 28-year-old on the bench for each Premier League match and in the EFL Cup Fourth Round win over West Ham United.

Reports on Deadline Day suggested Everton were in talks with Roma over a potential deal to send the midfielder to Italy on loan, although the Liverpool Echo have since claimed the Blues never received an official offer and that Ancelotti wants Bernard to remain a part of his plans.

Spadoto has been adamant that he and his client sought to secure a move, however, and has refused to rule out a second attempt to secure a transfer in January.

“We tried to convince Everton to let him go, but the English club did not agree,” Spadoto told LaRoma24.IT. “Not even on loan.

“I think so [we’ll try again in January], the player could be sold outright for around €7million (£6.3m).”

Three months to impress

If the Liverpool Echo are right in that Ancelotti has intentions of keeping Bernard in his plans, then the Brazilian has three months to impress his coach and turn things around, otherwise Spadoto will likely return to Goodison Park and push Director of Football Marcel Brands into accepting whatever offer he can muster.

It would take a surprising twist for Bernard to be happy with his understudy role offered so far this season, given reports back in April claiming interest from Roma also noted how the 14-cap midfielder was having difficulties in his relationship with Ancelotti and wanted to quit Everton as a result.

But Bernard has never stood out on a consistent basis since Ancelotti’s appointment and therefore has found himself pushed down the pecking order, with just two goals and two assists in 19 appearances to his name.

Ancelotti has frequently tried to find a role on the field for Bernard, be it one the left, right or through the middle of the attacking midfield line, yet it strongly appears the former Chelsea head coach’s intentions are only for the 28-year-old to be a back-up option now.

AND in other news, Everton are in need of drastic action with a forgotten player after failing to deal with his situation over the summer.