Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic is desperate to keep Aaron Ramsdale and Sander Berge amid interest from Premier League giants Arsenal, as he told Yorkshire Live.
As it stands, both Ramsdale and Berge should be available for selection when the Blades kick off the new Championship season with a clash against Birmingham City at Bramall Lane on August 7.
Whether they will still be around to take on Peterborough in early September, however, is another matter entirely.
After weeks of speculation, Arsenal are stepping up their pursuit of England goalkeeper Ramsdale, although the Gunners are yet to stump up the eye-watering £32 million Sheffield United want for a man who, while very highly-rated, has suffered relegation in each of the last two seasons (Times).
Powerhouse midfielder Berge has also been linked with Arsenal, as well as Liverpool, West Ham and Aston Villa, though the former Genk star has disappeared from the gossip columns since it emerged that Sheffield United were demanding £35 million for a man who started just 13 games in an injury-hit 2020/21 season.
Will Sander Berge and Aaron Ramsdale stay at Sheffield United?
“If you ask me if I will sell, no,” former Fulham boss Jokanovic said when quizzed about Ramsdale and Berge.
“I will be hurt if they leave. I understand this possibility exists but I hope that will not happen.
“I have used them today and tomorrow they will be with me on the training ground. They are my players and I enjoy working with them.
“Sander is a young man, he’s really clever and a happy man. I don’t have any sensation that he is unhappy where he is.
“I am not worried. I am happy with them and I trust they will stay with me and I trust they can be happy working with me and their Sheffield United teammates.”
George Baldock has also been tipped to depart before the end of August, although Celtic are now prioritising Royal Antwerp wing-back Aurelio Buta after failing to meet a prohibitive £8 million price-tag.
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