Newcastle United are reportedly monitoring Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge as they weigh up a January move for the 23-year-old.
According to an exclusive report from Football League World, Newcastle United are among a number of clubs that are keeping a close eye on Sheffield United star Sander Berge ahead of the January transfer window.
Berge arrived at Bramall Lane in January 2020 from Belgian outfit KRC Genk and developed into a regular for the Blades. However, an injury last year meant that the 23-year-old midfielder did not feature for the second half of the 2020/21 campaign as Sheffield United ended up getting relegated.
Back to fitness, Berge was linked with a summer move to a number of Premier League clubs including Arsenal, but a move never materialised and he ended up staying with the Championship club, hoping to recover peak fitness while helping Sheffield United push for promotion.
However, Berge could be offered a way out from Bramall Lane in the January transfer window, with Newcastle United monitoring the 23-year-old as they weigh up a move for the Norwegian international.
The Magpies did strengthen their midfield unit this summer with the permanent signing of Joe Willock. However, the loan departure of Matty Longstaff has left a vacant spot in the department and given Jonjo Shelvey’s inconsistent ways, adding another central midfielder could help Steve Bruce & co. ensure safety in the Premier League.
Berge, to that end, can be a viable option to look at for the Tynesiders. The 23-year-old has some degree of exposure to Premier League football and can perform multiple roles in the middle. Indeed, the Norwegian can operate as a No. 6 and shield the defence, something that Newcastle could most certainly use, while he also can perform as a ball-carrying midfielder.
The solidity and quality on the ball that he would bring could allow the likes of Willock and Miguel Almiron more freedom to express themselves going forward. However, Newcastle are not the only club keeping a close watch on Berge, as Scottish champions Rangers are also following the Norwegian international, along with a few other unnamed teams.
Should he show no lingering signs of his injury problems, Berge could potentially spark a battle for his signing in January. And, it will be interesting to see if Newcastle do make a push to land him in the winter transfer window.