Arsenal have made a bid of £17.2 million for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge, according to Football.London. However, the Blades are understood to want closer to £25 million for the Norweigan.
Sheffield United Reject Arsenal Bid for Sander Berge
Berge Move Still Possible as the Player is Keen
With Sheffield United being relegated to the Championship this season, Berge is keen on moving to the Emirates. He is especially interested if Arsenal can retain the services of fellow Norwegian Martin Odegaard on loan from Real Madrid.
The Blades are reportedly willing to sell Berge but will require an improved bid of at least £25.8 million. The club is also interested in a future sell-on fee (in the region of 10-20%) as part of a deal for Berge to head to London.
Having joined the club for over £20 million last year, this bid was always unlikely to be accepted. It is likely the beginning of a negotiation process that could last through the summer.
Arsenal Must Be Clever in Transfer Dealings
As Sheffield United will be willing to sell one of the club’s best players at a lower price than usual due to relegation, Arsenal can’t mess about for too long in their pursuit of Berge. Clubs with more of a chance of winning trophies and willing to pay higher wages are likely to come in for the midfielder before the end of the transfer window this summer.
The Gunners are in desperate need of reinforcements after another disappointing season in the Premier League. They are is on course for their lowest league position in 26 years.
Arsenal are already facing difficulty in keeping Martin Odegaard at the club because Zinedine Zidane reportedly want to reintegrate him into Real Madrid’s first team next season.
With a massive lack in quality for the club’s standards, reinforcement will be key if the London club are to return to competing for European places in the Premier League next season. They can’t afford to miss out on important targets by trying to negotiate too shrewdly.
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