Sheffield United reportedly failed to bring Sander Berge to Bramall Lane.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws in Belgium, Genk midfielder Sander Berge rejected a move to Sheffield United this summer.
Berge, 21, emerged as a starlet in his native Norway with Asker and Valerenga, and Genk pounced to sign him in 2017.
The giant, 6ft 4in midfielder has impressed in Belgium, receiving major interest as a result, but injuries hampered him last season.
Still, it’s claimed that Sheffield United were the only team to come close to Genk’s huge €25million (£23million) asking price, with nobody else getting anywhere near despite their interest.
However, Berge allegedly wasn’t interested in joining the Blades, and with the English market closed, it looks like Berge will be staying put as few other clubs around Europe will pay that kind of cash.
Berge could have been a huge coup for Chris Wilder’s side, as he’s a well-rounded midfielder. He’s big and strong, but also has a decent turn of pace and ability on the ball, meaning he can either protect the back four and play out, or even play box-to-box.
Genk won the Belgian title last season and will be in the Champions League group stage, so whilst Brighton managed to land Leandro Trossard, giving up that European prize for Sheffield United would have been difficult.
Berge would be a fine target to revisit in the future, maybe if the Blades stay up and really establish themselves as a Premier League side, but for now, a move seemed almost too ambitious this summer.
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