Arsenal are keen on Sheffield United’s Sander Berge with assistant Albert Stuivenberg potentially playing a key role in the interest.
The Gunners have been linked with a host of midfielders in the last few days.
An injury to Mohamed Elneny has left Arsenal needing to find another option in the middle of the park.
Edu went for Moises Caicedo but was rebuffed, leading Arsenal to go and strike a deal for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho instead.
Arsenal will still have their eye on a number of midfield options for the end of the season with Caicedo and Declan Rice likely to be top targets.
Cheaper alternatives will be on the wish list too and Sheffield United ace Berge appears to be on Arsenal’s radar.
Sander Berge is a favourite of Arsenal assistant Stuivenberg
The Chronicle report that Arsenal registered an interest in signing Berge in recent weeks.
Newcastle United and Liverpool were also keen but it now looks like Berge will be staying at Sheffield United beyond the deadline.
Berge is now inside the final 18 months of his contract though and Arsenal may be eyeing up a bargain summer deal.
Berge is a major presence at 6ft 5in tall and has proven himself as a quality box-to-box midfielder; much more than just an anchor man.
A Norway international teammate of Martin Odegaard, Berge could offer competition for Granit Xhaka moving forward if Arsenal do make a move.
One interesting factor is here Arsenal assistant coach Albert Stuivenberg.
Stuivenberg is a key part of Mikel Arteta’s operation at Arsenal and he was vital in the move to sign Leandro Trossard.
The Athletic reported that Stuivenberg eased fears about Trossard’s attitude and The Telegraph claim his character references were vital to that deal.
Stuivenberg coached Trossard at Genk. Guess who else was at Genk in the 2016-17 season? Sander Berge.
Stuivenberg has previously hailed Berge as ‘intelligent’ and a ‘future leader’ having been impressed with him at Genk.
If Stuivenberg continues to have a big say on incoming, Arsenal may well reunite the Dutchman with Berge come the end of the season.
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