Sheffield United are interested in a deadline day deal with Nottingham Forest to sign Lewis O’Brien. But they must first sell Fulham and Newcastle United transfer target Sander Berge.
That is according to The Athletic (31/01, 12:25), which reports any move for O’Brien hinges on Berge leaving Bramall Lane. Sheffield United will then face a race against time to secure a deal before the deadline, having yet to agree to terms or get their transfer embargo lifted.
The English Football League (EFL) has put Sheffield United under a transfer embargo as the Blades defaulted on payments owed to another team, per BBC Sport. It did not state which club or which player’s transfer the Bramall Lane side’s breach of EFL rule 52.2.3 related to.
Sheffield United would need the EFL’s written permission to push through any transfer this month. But the transfer of Berge by the South Yorkshire team will put the Blades on course to satisfy the governing body. Then, Paul Heckingbottom may welcome O’Brien to his club.
A clutch of Premier League clubs, including Fulham and Newcastle, have shown an interest in signing Berge from Sheffield United. The Cottagers are the frontrunners for a deal at the moment. But the Blades want £20m to sell the Norwegian, who is under contract to 2024.
Fulham could beat Newcastle to a transfer for Sander Berge of Sheffield United
Newcastle are rivalling Fulham to secure the transfer of Berge from Sheffield United during deadline day. His departure would then free the funds the Blades need to pursue O’Brien’s move. Nottingham Forest are keen to move him on to clear space for Jonjo Shelvey to join.
O’Brien only moved to the City Ground last summer but has struggled for game time under Steve Cooper. So, he is now keen to return to Yorkshire after leaving Huddersfield Town in the summer. Yet West Brom have a far easier route to a move given the Blades’ embargo.
West Brom have shown an interest of their own in O’Brien, so Sheffield United might hope Fulham or Newcastle step up their pursuits of Berge’s transfer quickly. The 24-year-old has hit four and created three goals over his 19 Championship appearances so far this season.
Yet while Eddie Howe is interested in Berge, Newcastle may struggle to agree on a transfer with Sheffield United. Sky Sports reports that Fulham have made a £20m, plus add-ons, bid for the 32-cap star. But the Toon can only target a loan with a buy clause for this summer.
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