Looking in from afar, it appears Chris Wilder has already put the wheels in motion when it comes to Sheffield United losing Sander Berge.
Without conceding he’d lose Berge this very summer, Wilder’s interview this week with TV2 offered a frank and honest admission that Berge was always likely to use United as a stepping stone.
It’s a realistic approach from the Blades boss. Berge was a big money and, if we’re being honest, surprising signing back in January 2020. Since then, Berge has shown his class, especially at time this season and post-lockdown, although injury has curtailed his progress recently.
Should United lose Berge this summer when and if relegated, then as well as looking to get money back and some more, the Blades should also have an eye on a few clubs to which losing Berge wouldn’t be the end of the world.
And one of them clubs should be Arsenal, who have previously shown an interest in signing Berge themselves.
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Sander Berge to Arsenal makes sense, if United can get someone in return
Obviously, the main thing United need to look at when selling Berge is ensuring we get our money back. £22m shouldn’t be too hard to get for an international midfielder, while we should also look to insert a sell-on into any deal.
But if Arsenal do rekindle their apparent interest, then there’s a handful of young and exciting talents who the Blades could potentially look to pinch on loan as part of any deal.
Striker Eddie Nketiah is one. We have already written about what he would bring to the Bramall Lane table, here.
Midfielder Reiss Nelson is another we have mentioned previously. Nelson has bags of talent, but finds himself on the fringes of first-team action in the main under Mikel Arteta.
Beyond that, Miguel Azeez is a highly-rated midfield player in the Arsenal ranks, and a move to the Championship – if we do indeed end up there – could aid his development.
Joe Willock is already on loan at Newcastle, Folarin Balogun has yet to decide his future, while the likes of Nikolaj Moller and Omar Rekik are another pair of highly-rated Gunners youngsters.
So, while losing Sander Berge won’t be ideal for the Blades, the thought of him going to Arsenal and us at least seeing someone arrive in return is something for the club to consider.