Arsenal have reportedly tabled an offer worth €20 million to sign Sander Berge, who is also a target for rivals Liverpool.
According to a report by French outlet Jeunes Footeux, Arsenal have taken the first step to secure the services of Sander Berge in the summer transfer window. The Gunners have lodged an offer worth €20 million for the Sheffield United midfielder, who is also a target for rivals Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
It has only been around 18 months since Sander Berge arrived in the Premier League by joining Sheffield United from Genk in January 2020. Since then, his progress has been hampered by a long-term hamstring injury, one which he returned from recently.
Despite the fitness issue, though, Berge is rated quite highly at Sheffield United and within the Premier League as well. And, with the Blades set to drop down to the Championship, it is expected that the 23-year-old will depart Bramall Lane in the summer. The player has no shortage of suitors either, with Arsenal, Tottenham and Liverpool among the clubs keen on signing him.
Arsenal’s interest in Berge makes sense, considering Dani Ceballos is set to return to Real Madrid following the expiration of his loan spell and is unlikely to be signed on a permanent deal. Further, even Thomas Partey has been linked with a summer exit, although Arsenal might want to keep hold of the Ghanaian midfielder.
Nevertheless, Berge is a player who can fit in seamlessly in Mikel Arteta’s setup, either as a holding midfielder or in a box-to-box capacity. As for Liverpool, the Norwegian international could be a long-term replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who is tipped to depart Anfield as a free agent.
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Liverpool, though, could be playing catch-up in the race to sign Berge, with Arsenal making their first move to secure his services. The report claims that Arsenal have tabled a bid worth €20 million for the 23-year-old, although the offer is nowhere near the amount that Sheffield United value him at.
The Blades are also keen to recoup a higher sum for Berge as a percentage of the sale will go to Genk. However, with certain reports pointing towards the youngster being keen on joining Arsenal, the north Londoners could be in good stead to land him ahead of Liverpool and other suitors this summer, although it remains to be seen if they are willing to pay higher than the €20 million they have offered.
