LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Sander Berge of Sheffield United runs with the ball as Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal chases during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 04, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 04: Sander Berge of Sheffield United runs with the ball as Mohamed Elneny of Arsenal chases during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Sheffield United at Emirates Stadium on October 04, 2020 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

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Arsenal’s Sander Berge pursuit risks dangerous transfer territory

by Ross Kennerley
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Arsenal rejected offer for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge risks dangerous transfer territory as Mikel Arteta’s side could get drawn into overpaying in summer window. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

On the mission to secure midfielders this summer Arsenal have been linked with only a few despite their obvious needs, with full-backs and centre-forwards being majorly mentioned. Over at Sheffield United Sander Berge is one of the few, with reports stating the Gunners are making their move.

Relegated clubs are always easy pickings for Premier League sides. Despite the parachute payments from dropping down into the second tier, selling some of your prized assets is commonplace to help reshape the look of the squad for an immediate promotion push.

Norwich, for example, did brilliantly in keeping hold of their main stars last summer and have been rewarded with a richly deserved route back into the top-flight. Over at Sheffield United the story isn’t quite as luxurious, with precious few of their awful side this season worth poaching.

Sander Berge is one of those slim pickings. The Blades signing him for £22m from Genk 18 months ago was a major coup on their part, with Liverpool as well as other top European sides snooping around for the Norwegian. This season has been dire in every respect for Berge, who was out for four months after hamstring surgery this year and hasn’t been involved in a single victory in any of his 16 outings this term.

Arsenal interest in Sander Berge risks dangerous transfer territory as Mikel Arteta’s side could get drawn into overpaying in summer window

He will be shifted on this summer with interest aplenty, albeit none as strong as that coming from north London.

Mikel Arteta desperately needs midfield reinforcements with Dani Ceballos departing for good, Joe Willock up for sale, Mohamed Elneny entering the final year of his contract, Granit Xhaka said to want out this summer and Lucas Torreira and Matteo Guendouzi to be sold. All those transpire and that leaves…..Thomas Partey.

As is customary, news of Berge’s transfer fee was leaked to the press at around £35m before gradually lessening as the weeks have passed, to the point where it was claimed he had a release clause of a measly £12m if the club were relegated.

How do you judge a player who has endured a season that would be best scratched from memory with months missed through injury and the rest spent ending up on the losing end? Scouting, that’s how.

What reason is there to trust the Arsenal scouting department when they sacked them all and are in the process of hiring scouts to scout more scouts? Of course, any interest in Berge is long-standing, and ideally meticulous, as one report states that the Gunners have made their first bid.

Next: Arsenal bid for Berge rejected

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