Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom hopes to keep Sander Berge and Iliman Ndiaye with Premier League duo Fulham and Everton chasing the Championship stars, speaking to the Sheffield Star.
Berge was conspicuous by his absence as John Egan’s stoppage-time strike denied Wrexham a fitting Hollywood-style story during the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday, left out as speculation rages over the Norway international’s future at Bramall Lane.
Fulham, per Sky Sports, are in talks to sign Berge for a cool £20 million. A distraction Heckingbottom really could have done without. Especially given that a transfer embargo slapped down onto The Blades means Sheffield United would be unable to sign a replacement before Tuesday’s deadline.
The former Leeds boss admitts, following that thrilling 3-3 draw in North Wales, that ‘our club is speaking to other clubs regarding (Berge)’.
Fulham and Everton are planning a late Sheffield United raid
Fortunately for Heckingbottom, things are nowhere near as advanced with Ndiaye. According to L’Equipe, arguably the Championship’s outstanding young attacker has rejected a potential £20 million move to Goodison Park; Everton looking to reinvest that Anthony Gordon fee in a man with 10 goals and eight assists to his name.
“I think there’s been interest,” Heckingbottom admits. “And there always is. You start to hear it before windows and things like that.
“All I can do is stress the same things. With the position we’ve got ourselves in, I don’t want anyone to leave. The landscape’s changed with (the embargo), where we are and what we’ve got.
“But, from my point of view, if we’re embargoed, it’s even more important they don’t leave. My stance on that won’t change.”
Everton, one of the lowest goalscorers in the Premier League, are prioritising attacking additions. Manchester United fringe player Anthony Elanga is one potential addition. A man at the other end of his career – West Ham veteran Michail Antonio – is another on the Toffees’ radar.
Everton’s situation is complicated, however, by the fact that Sean Dyche is yet to be officially confirmed as Frank Lampard’s replacement.
“Dyche is a good shout. He knows the Premier League,” former Liverpool ace Danny Murphy tells talkSPORT. He’s got a great knowledge of the Everton players.
“I think he is the right fit for Everton.”
Dyche emerged as the Toffees’ number one target late last week.
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