Leeds can now sign ‘interesting’ target for £13m less despite £18m rival bid

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Sheffield United have rejected an official offer from Werder Bremen for Sander Berge, but are set to lower their valuation of the Leeds United target against rival Bundesliga interest.

That’s according to Sky Sports, who report the Blades have now snubbed an £18m bid by Die Werderaner for Berge. The Weserstadion outfit are exploring a deal for the Norway star, as coach Ole Werner strives to strengthen after securing the club’s return to the top-flight.

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Werder Bremen finished the 2021/22 2.Bundesliga season second to Schalke in their first second-tier campaign in 40 years. Werner is now desperate to avoid seeing Werder suffer what would be just the club’s third-ever relegation following last year’s shock and horrors.

Sheffield United reject Werder Bremen bid for Berge amid rival Leeds interest

Sheffield United have so far rebuffed Werder Bremen’s advances for Berge, deeming their £18m offer insufficient. But the Bramall Lane hierarchy would be willing to sell the 30-cap midfielder amid bids closer to the club-record £22m they paid KRC Genk in January 2020.

Two further Bundesliga outfits are also monitoring events in South Yorkshire as they weigh up submitting their own proposals. Dean Jones has also previously reported that Leeds are interested in signing Berge from Sheffield United as a possible successor for Kalvin Phillips.

But Yorkshire Live added Sheffield United were likely to demand interested clubs trigger a £35m release clause in Berge’s contract. The Blades agreed to include a break clause in his £33k-a-week deal to join the then-Premier League club, which still has two years left to go.

Berge had attracted big interest with Genk before the 24-year-old switched over to South Yorkshire for 66 appearances so far. VG note Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp told him ‘you are an interesting player, a very interesting player’ after facing Genk in the Champions League.

Jesse Marsch could now strive to strike on Sheffield United lowering their asking price for Berge, amid interest from Germany, following Phillips’ £45m transfer away from Leeds to Manchester City. The England international’s departure leaves a huge void for him to fill.