Arsenal quoted ridiculous Sander Berge transfer fee

Arsenal are facing a substantial midfield exodus this summer with up to six of their seven options in the centre of the pitch potentially on the move which, understandably, requires them purchasing other options. Sander Berge’s name has been regularly mentioned, but perhaps not anymore.

Sheffield United embarked on a classic case of second season syndrome. Even by those common Premier League standards, their fall of 31 points and 11 places down from ninth to rock bottom was unbelievably atrocious.

Their manager left and a new one has arrived, with several of their players also set for the exit door. None of them have been quite as heavily linked with a departure as Sander Berge, who Arsenal have been sniffing around for.

Scouts have been tracking the Norwegian even before the overhaul of that department and the 23-year-old’s move to Bramall Lane less than 18 months ago. His spell in south Yorkshire started off strongly but has tailed of dramatically along with the Blades’ form and his injury problems.

Arsenal quoted ridiculous Sander Berge transfer fee as Sheffield United hold out for huge price in summer transfer window

Relegated sides are always an easy target as their players seek to remain in the Premier League, and while not outstanding, Berge would add a different profile to Arsenal in that area of the pitch.

Not for £35m, however.

Sheffield United were expected to drop their asking price for Berge given their predicament, but the Sheffield Star reveal the club are refusing to budge on their valuation which stands at their original price.

Their reasons for adding £13m on top of what they initially paid to lure him from Genk during the 2019/20 window are that they underpaid for him in the first place and his acclimatisation in English football means his value has risen.

Some early questionable sources suggested that Arsenal already have had a bid of just over £17m turned down, a figure they should not be upping if they are serious about building a balanced squad and tending to other areas.

£35m is an outrageous number in the current market. Berge has undoubted talent that has not been able to flourish with the Blades yet any hopes his current club may have of raising that figure shouldn’t be coming from north London. Maybe from Spurs.

Arsenal do believe they can keep haggling.

Continued…