Report: Club wants more than £22.5m for Arsenal midfield target who’s a ‘potential future leader’

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Reported Arsenal target Sander Berge could set the Gunners back “substantially more” than £22.5million should they wish to pursue him, according to Yorkshire Live.

Arsenal have been linked with the Sheffield United midfielder, as have Liverpool and Aston Villa.

Berge was an important part of the Blades side that finished in the top half of the table last season after his £22.5million move to the Premier League in January 2020.

This season, the Norway international managed 13 Premier League outings, but has unfortunately been on the sidelines while United struggle for top-flight survival.

With Berge’s side looking increasingly likely to drop to the Championship, it’s not surprising to read about Premier League sides reportedly keeping tabs on him.

However, it doesn’t look as though Mikel Arteta and his fellow peers will have an easy job in snapping the 23-year-old up at the end of the season.

Yorkshire Live, citing “a member of the board’s inner circle”, claims they are under no pressure to sell and will reject any offer for its star players unless it is deemed simply too good to turn down.

In Berge’s case, United will reportedly reject any offer which would see them recoup their £22.5million, and will only sell if a bid received is substantially more than this.

Their plan for next season involves keeping the core of the team at the club in pursuit of immediate promotion and will only allow anyone to leave if the fee meets a certain expectation.

The feeling with Berge is that a season in the Championship will increase his value further as he is expected to dominate the division, added the report.

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A towering figure at 6ft 4in, Berge’s size gives him a big edge when it comes to protecting the back line as well as winning the ball further up the pitch.

Former Genk head coach Albert Stuivenberg said of the player last year: “He is already very mature.

“He is intelligent, reads the game well, and takes the initiative. He has the potential to become a future leader.”

Berge has shown he has what it takes to shine in the Premier League and certainly looks like a good shout to carry this role out at Arsenal.

However, it certainly won’t be easy for the Gunners, or indeed Liverpool or Villa, to sign him unless they’re willing to loosen their purse strings considerably.