Sheffield United sit 14 points adrift of safety in the Premier League, and may already be thinking about life in the Championship next season.
If the Blades do go down, they are likely to lose some key players – and few would really expect Sander Berge to stick around at Bramall Lane.
The Norwegian star cost £22million in January 2020, and whilst he has missed two months with a leg injury, he still looks like the most talented of the Blades bunch.
United boss Chris Wilder has now told TV2 that he does expect Berge to leave in the near future, believing he is destined to play for a big club.
These comments may give Arsenal hope of pulling off a deal, given that reports from VG in Norway back in November that claimed Arsenal want Berge.
Add in that Arsenal assistant Albert Stuivenberg worked with Berge at Genk and called him a ‘future leader’, and a summer move for Berge seems sensible.
Berge is a huge physical presence at 6ft 5in tall, but he also possess quality on the ball, meaning he is capable of both breaking up and dictating play.
Berge only turns 23 this week, offering real potential to develop behind the likes of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, adding much more dynamic option than Mohamed Elneny.
Arsenal also have Berge’s friend and international teammate Martin Odegaard currently at the club, and having them reunite in North London could be ideal.
Wilder is being realistic, knowing that Berge ultimately has aspirations well beyond the Championship – and with Arsenal already lurking, they could now have all the encouragement they need.
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