Chelsea set to raid Championship club for highly-rated Liverpool target after Onana disappointment
Chelsea are lining up a shock late move for highly-rated Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge, according to recent reports.
It’s no secret that manager Graham Potter is keen to add a quality midfielder to his squad before the window closes, so it seems there is a chance of the deal happening.
Berge has been in fine form for the Blades this season and could represent a relatively cheap option for the Blues, compared to their other targets.
The 24-year-old has previously been linked with a move to Chelsea, but a move failed to materialise at the time.
Now, according to Si Phillips, the Blues are ready to battle Liverpool for his signature.
Chelsea have been heavily linked to various midfield targets this month, already seeing bids turned down for Brighton’s Moises Caicedo, along with Benfica centre-mid Enzo Fernandez – both of which have also been targeted by Liverpool.
Chelsea also tabled a deal for Everton’s Amadou Onana on Wednesday, but the Belgium international rejected their approach in favour of remaining at Goodison Park.
The need for a new midfielder is clear given Jorginho is expected to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, while N’Golo Kante has also been linked with a summer departure.
Berge has been Sheffield United’s ‘best player this season’
However, Sheffield United are unlikely to let Berge leave easily, as he has been a key player for them for the past few seasons and still has the potential to get even better.
The Norway international signed for the Blades in a £20m deal in 2020. Since, he has featured 87 times for the club, scoring 12 goals and making nine assists overall.
United manager Paul Heckingbottom is a big fan of Berge, too, so a hefty transfer fee may be required to lure him away from Bramall Lane.
Speaking to VG in November 2020, Heckingbottom’s predecessor Chris Wilder said: “The £20m we paid for Sander is not a big deal for a player like him.
“It felt great for us, because we have not been in that market for 25 years, but now it is nothing.
“Sander was a fantastic signing for us. We want him to grow with us, but we understand that the big clubs are interested when he performs so well. That means we, and Sander, are doing something right.
“People judged Sander when we signed him. They expected everything to happen immediately. There were some harsh opinions about him.
“People thought he would not be a success in the Premier League, but he has turned it upside down. Sander has been our best player this season.”
Indeed, with Liverpool also in the mix, Chelsea may need to pay over the odds to secure a late January move for Berge.
But, with the player believed to be keen on a move back to the Premier League, this could be one to watch for the rest of the transfer window.
