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…

Arsenal Should Move for Sander Berge Only at the Right Price

Whatever midfield pivot, or trio if Mikel Arteta switches to a 4-3-3 shape, is unlikely to excite fans if Berge is starting every week. With Dani Ceballos, Joe Willock, Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny either gone already or potentially going, as well as soon-to-be departed Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi, solid squad options are essential.

Berge is not the marquee signing to partner Thomas Partey to a top four surge, but he is a talented all-round midfielder who, if at the right price, fits the mould of player Arsenal should be after.

A tall and physically strong option in that department who is young and hungry would suit well, and that he shunned interest from other clubs to join Sheffield United indicates that he was ready to bide his time and adapt to the Premier League.

He will undoubtedly want to remain in the top-flight and word is he’s keen on joining Arsenal, therefore unless he starts pushing for the move himself it’s unlikely that his transfer fee will be dropping soon even if Arsenal want to haggle.

Highly thought of by the recruitment department and Arteta’s assistant Albert Stuivenberg in particular, even the club must know the fees being floated around are beyond their means. Yves Bissouma could cost less.

And given that Arsenal aren’t likely to make Berge a starting option at the club it’s money that must be spent elsewhere.

Any admiration for Martin Odegaard’s close friend has to be tempered by his club’s woeful season. Despite their issues, Berge still sits in the 95th percentile for carries into the final third, as well as the 81st percentile for dribbles completed. A strong interceptor of the ball and someone who likes to tackle high up the pitch (92nd percentile for tackles in the final third), his qualities are clear.

No amount of on the ball No. 6/No. 8 blended qualities can justify £35m, however. If this is the price Arsenal need to call it a day and look elsewhere. Too expensive, move on.