There remains confusion over whether or not Sander Berge will remain a Sheffield United player this month, amid reports the club are in talks to sell.
Paul Heckingbottom confirmed after the draw with Wrexham that the club had asked him for Berge not to be involved.
It comes as reported interest from Fulham and Newcastle United emerges, while a host of other PL sides are also thought to be watching on. The interest from Fulham seemed to be the most advanced. After Sky initially broke the news, Yorkshire Live confirmed those talks, before the Telegraph’s Mike McGrath said last night that a deal was close to being done.
However, in a move that could bring a chink of light to United’s hopes of keeping Berge, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Fulham are now close to signing midfielder, Sasa Lukic, from Torino.
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It remains to be seen whether Fulham will be content with signing Lukic or if they feel adding both him and Berge is necessary.
The Cottagers are low when it comes to central midfield options. It does mean a second deal is likely, meaning Berge could well still end up in London come the deadline.
Sheffield United News View: £20m for Berge is good business but a shame
It’s an absolute farce that is has come to this. It’s just proven all along that the current owner doesn’t have the cashflow to run a football club and has, effectively, been lucky we had two seasons in the Premier League.
There’s no problem with selling players. Players come and go at all clubs. But the manner in which we are effectively being forced to sell is quite ridiculous. Especially when there is meant to be a potential new owner in the pipeline.
Berge going for £20m will get us through this season no doubt. But some of that money must go back into the XI immediately. If it simply pays the debt and covers costs until the end of the season, then United are in trouble.