Chelsea reportedly made a late approach to sign Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge in the summer transfer window, with Liverpool and Leeds United also keen on the Championship star.
According to the Sheffield Star, the Blues came in with an offer late in the window to sign Berge, with Chelsea eager to bring in a midfielder in the final weeks of the summer market. However, Sheffield United turned down the approach as the Norway international remained with the second-tier.
Chelsea were not alone this summer in their attempt to sign Berge from the Championship. Reports claim that Leeds and Liverpool were both interested in the 24-year-old, with Club Brugge also reportedly launching a bid to sign the Scandinavian superstar, an effort that was rejected by Sheffield United.
With a reported release clause of £35m as per Yorkshire Live, Berge would have been one of the most expensive Championship transfers of all time, however, with no club meeting Sheffield United’s valuation, there’s a good chance that the former Genk star could leave in 2023 for a much lower fee.
Moreover, as per the Sheffield Star, Liverpool and Leeds could face no more competition from Chelsea for Berge after the west London signed Juventus midfielder Denis Zakaria on loan on deadline day, opening the race for the Blades star in the January transfer window.
Chelsea signing Zakaria could open door for Leeds and Liverpool battle for Berge
Chelsea surprised a few by signing Zakaria in the summer, yet for Leeds and Liverpool, the Blues’ decision to move for the Swiss international might have paved the way for the Premier League duo to sign Berge, who could be open to returning to the Premier League in January.
Indeed, Berge is a player who is seemingly too big to be in the Championship for another season, and signing for a club like Leeds or Liverpool will be an alluring prospect for the Norway superstar, with the Premier League a division that matches the midfielder’s quality.
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