Brighton are ready to bid for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge if they agree a deal with Arsenal to sell Moises Caicedo, according to reports.
The Seagulls are currently reluctant to part with the Ecuador international midway through the season with Brighton turning down the latest offer worth £70m from Arsenal.
Reports have claimed that Arsenal could now ‘walk away’ from a deal if Brighton don’t budge a bit on their stance that he isn’t for sale in January.
But there might be good news on the horizon for Arsenal supporters if Brighton can line up a replacement for Caicedo before the deadline.
One player they are interested in is Sheffield United’s Berge with the Blades reportedly looking to sell him before the end of the transfer window.
Sheff United need funds to end a transfer embargo placed on the Championship club and there is plenty of interest in their Norway international, who moved to Bramall Lane for around £22m in 2020.
Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope claims that “Fulham and Newcastle [are] among those to have spoken to Sheffield United” despite Blades boss Paul Heckingbottom wanting to keep the midfielder.
It has been reported by Sky Sports that Fulham have made an offer of £20m plus add-ons for Berge, while Newcastle have offered to take him on loan with an obligation to buy the Norwegian.
And now Norwegian publication TV2 claim:
‘In addition to Fulham, Newcastle and Brighton, the latter if they sell Moisés Caicedo, should also be interested in bidding for Berge.
‘Abroad, Serie A leader Napoli has also shown strong interest.’
TV2 add:
‘Many clubs have both in January and this summer been interested in loaning Berge, but Sheffield United essentially want a permanent transfer so that they can get as much money as possible immediately to deal with the financial problems the club is facing.’
Berge missed Sheffield United’s 3-3 draw against Wrexham on Sunday and Heckingbottom delivered an update on his situation after the match.
“He’s not here because we have been asked not to use him,” Heckingbottom told reporters. “Our club is speaking to other clubs regarding him.
“It doesn’t mean he is going anywhere, Sander is happy here. But the situation we find ourselves in mid-takeover, transfer embargo, no clarity on which way it is going and financial issues.
“One way to resolve the issues is to sell a player. Everyone knows my thoughts on it.
“Sander is fine, he wants to stay, he’s fine. The clubs could be discussing a fee for Sander and he might want to stay. He wanted to play today but it’s a club decision to protect that asset.
“I am not going to say I agree with it but I understand it. I pulled him out on Saturday. I am not daft enough to know it may happen he was coming and was ready to travel.
“It would be massively disappointing to lose him but we are in an embargo and we have financial problems. One way to get out of that and raise money is selling players.
“I don’t want that but we are prepared for that if it happens.”
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