Arsenal instruct scouts to prepare reports on Sander Berge as talk of summer move for Sheffield United man intensifies

Norwegian midfielder Berge, formerly United’s club record signing, is widely expected to leave Bramall Lane this summer following the Blades’ relegation from the Premier League.

With international and Champions League experience on his CV, it seems unlikely that Berge will turn out in the Championship. Prince Abdullah, the United owner, recently revealed that a number of players have release clauses in their contracts and Berge is likely to be the asset in most demand this summer as United face up to the drastic drop in revenue that relegation brings.

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The midfielder has been previously linked with Arsenal, whose assistant manager Albert Stuivenberg coached Berge at Genk, and the Gunners tasked prospective scouts to prepare an analysis of Berge and Joe Willock, on loan at Newcastle from Arsenal, as the first stage of their recruitment process.

Berge is understood to have a relegation release clause in his contract and has also been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, Everton and Aston Villa.

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After damaging his hamstring in December against Manchester United, he returned to action as a half-time substitute at Spurs and then started last time out as the Blades lost 2-0 to Crystal Palace.

United have three games left of their current Premier League adventure – and all the signs suggest that Blades fans should enjoy the sight of Berge in a Blades shirt while they can.

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