Arsenal could make a late move for Sander Berge…
What’s the word?
According to ChronicleLive, who report that the Gunners are one of several Premier League teams rivalling Newcastle United to the signature of the Sheffield United midfielder, who is also attracting interest from Liverpool and Fulham.
The Blades will need to sell some of their biggest stars before tonight’s deadline if they are to avoid a transfer embargo due to financial difficulties.
It remains to be seen how much the Norwegian star would command after the Bramall Lane hierarchy were looking for around £25m during the summer, around £10m lower than his reported release clause (£35m), per The Star.
Would Berge be a good deadline day signing for Arsenal?
YES!
NO!
Bargain midfield option
As the north London outfit are facing a losing battle in their attempts to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton and Hove Albion before 11pm this evening, it would make sense for sporting director Edu Gaspar to look elsewhere to fulfil Mikel Arteta‘s midfield request.
The Seagulls want a whopping £80m to let their dynamic gem leave, whilst any move for Declan Rice appears to be out of the question until the summer.
Arsenal have also been linked with interest in Chelsea veteran Jorginho, 31, but Berge could be a far better alternative to Caicedo given his age and price.
Still only 24, the 6 foot 5 titan has perhaps only remained in the Championship due to United’s unwillingness to sell such a key player but now, with their hand forced, it could be the perfect time to bring him back to the top-flight.
29 of his 87 appearances for the Blades have come in the Premier League, where he has provided four goal contributions, via Transfermarkt. His form has elevated in the second tier, having delivered four goals and seven assists in 18 starts so far this term.
During his time in the north, Berge has been lauded as a “Rolls-Royce” of a player by teammate Rhian Brewster, as well as a “complete midfielder” by his former manager Chris Wilder.
Indeed, it’s hard to disagree as the 32-time Norway sensation is capable of influencing a game at either end of the pitch, whilst dominating the centre too. An average of 1.2 tackles, 1.2 key passes, 1.4 shots and 1.5 dribbles per game, via WhoScored, would certainly allude to this being the case.
As such, perhaps it would be better for Edu and co to look to Berge as their short-term stop-gap in midfield, with Rice a top target for next season. Both could form the depth in the engine room that Arteta desperately needs, alongside Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.
The Blades colossus would surely be a worthwhile bargain, given their financial woes right now.
AND in other news, Arsenal “had conversations” over signing £13m “special talent”, he could be Saliba 2.0…
