According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Sheffield United want just €12million (£10.3m) for Sander Berge as the Blades prepare for life in the Championship.
In 2019, the Norwegian said playing at Anfield, is a dream not just because of his nation’s connection with the Reds but due to them being the best in the world.
He told the Liverpool Echo: “Playing at Anfield is a dream for everyone in the world, and not least for Norwegians.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 24: (THE SUN OUT,THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT)Sheffield United Sander Berge takes a tumble during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Sheffield United at Anfield on October 24, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
“Liverpool are the best team [at the moment] and have the most fans. So I could certainly like to play at Anfield as often as possible.”
Berge available for cut-price deal
According to Voetbal24, who claimed back in March that Jurgen Klopp is ‘absolutely convinced’ of Berge’s talent, the 23-year-old is a person of interest to the Reds.
With Georginio Wijnaldum heading out of the club this summer, it would be a very FSG-type transfer to sign a young player from a recently relegated side.
Now, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Sheffield United want just €12million (£10.3m) for Sander Berge as the Blades prepare for life in the Championship.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcxlgkundmc
Interest has been shown from Napoli as the Serie A outfit plans for the potential departure of Fabián Ruiz.
Berge would be a weird but interesting option
He’s massive. There’s no hiding that. Berge stands at a huge 1.95m which is the same height as Joel Matip and interestingly enough they share a similar style of dribbling.
The Sheffield United midfielder is well known for his trademark runs through the centre of the pitch where he holds off incoming tackles with his long limbs.
His ability to hold onto the ball isn’t quite the same as the press-resistant nature of Georginio Wijnaldum’s play as there is a ridiculous 20cm height difference.
Sheffield United’s Norwegian midfielder Sander Berge (L) is pressured by Liverpool’s Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum (R) during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Sheffield United at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 24, 2020. (Photo by STU FORSTER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Yet, he’d be an interesting option for Jurgen Klopp to consider but I’m not sure he’d be as good at pressing high up the pitch as his agility and ability to change direction to follow his opposite number aren’t that great.
He’d give Liverpool set-piece dominance
With 1.94m Ibrahima Konate arriving to partner 1.93m Virgil van Dijk at the back, adding 1.95m Sander Berge to the mix would give Liverpool unprecedented set-piece dominance.
At both ends of the pitch, Jurgen Klopp’s side would be a unit to be reckoned with.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 12: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool scores his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Leeds United at Anfield on September 12, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Paul Ellis – Pool/Getty Images)
It’s something that has been sorely missed with van Dijk and Joel Matip out injured for the vast majority of the 2020/21 Premier League season.
The verdict
Aside from his height and the very low price tag, he doesn’t take Liverpool to the next level and he certainly isn’t on a par with Georginio Wijnaldum.
Yves Bissouma is the ideal target as he is class at pressing high up the pitch, he looks after the ball brilliantly but he can also defend and attack with equal quality.
The £50million that Brighton are demanding for his services is proving to be a barrier to signing the Malian, however.
