Arsenal ‘still keen on swoop for Sheffield United’s £22m star man Sander Berge… and Mikel Arteta is ready to make his move if Blades are relegated from the Premier League’
- Arsenal are preparing shock transfer swoop for Sheffield United’s Sander Berge
- They tried to sign the 22-year-old last January but were beaten to his signature
- He signed for Chris Wilder’s side in a record-breaking deal for the club instead
- However, with Sheffield United sitting bottom of the table, Arsenal will try again
- Should they succeed, Berge will line-up alongside new signing Thomas Partey
Arsenal are preparing to make a shock transfer swoop for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge, according to reports in Norway.
Arsenal were among a host of clubs vying for the 22-year-old’s signature last January, but were beaten to a deal by Sheffield United.
Berge signed for Chris Wilder’s side in a then club-record deal worth £22million, although the Gunners have continued to monitor his progress.
Arsenal are reportedly preparing a swoop for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge
Norwegian newspaper VG claim that Arsenal are interested in making another attempt to sign him, with Mikel Arteta looking to further strengthen his midfield.
With the Blades sitting bottom of the Premier League having claimed one point out of a possible 27, Arsenal are said to be plotting a potential move should they be relegated at the end of the season.
Berge would line-up alongside Thomas Partey, who signed for Arsenal last summer in a £45m deal from Atletico Madrid.
Arsenal could, however, face competition from Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham, who were all previously keen on the Norwegian.
Berge has shown glimpses of his potential in the Premier League, having featured 25 times for Sheffield United and scored two goals.
Berge signed for Chris Wilder’s side in a then club record deal worth £22million last January
However, with Sheffield United sitting bottom of the table, Mikel Arteta could move for Berge
Wilder highlighted the importance of Berge to Sheffield United, calling him a ‘complete midfielder’ earlier this season.
He said: ‘Sander was a fantastic signing for us. We want him to grow with us, but we understand that the big clubs are interested when he performs so well.
‘That means we, and Sander, are doing something right.
‘People judged Sander when we signed him. They expected everything to happen immediately. There were some harsh opinions about him.
‘People thought he would not be a success in the Premier League, but he has turned it upside down. Sander has been our best player this season.
‘I just have to say it: Sander has been unique. He is the one who has stood out for us.
‘He is a complete midfielder. He can play as an 8 and as 6. He can play in different formations.’
Should Arsenal land Berge, he would line-up alongside £45m summer signing Thomas Partey
Wilder highlighted the importance of Berge to the Blades, calling him a ‘complete midfielder’
Berge, on the other hand, believes there is room for improvement within his game.
‘Being more of a goalscorer and adding assists – that type of play is something that I am looking at now,’ he told Yorkshire Live.
‘That is something I have to add because that is what the demands are for that position I am playing at the moment.
‘For every game I feel like I am a bigger danger and the more often that you find yourself in those positions the more you have it in your head already that you know what to do and you feel more confident doing it.’
