Genk chief in intriguing response to rumours Liverpoool are keen on Berge

Genk sporting director Dimitri De Conde has confirmed that Liverpool and Napoli are both keen on signing midfielder Sander Berge, while admitting that the Belgian side could struggle to keep him next summer.

Berge, 21, has impressed for Genk so far this season having appeared 20 times already this season – including four times in the Champions League – while chipping in with two goals in that time.

Recent reports suggested that Reds boss Jurgen Klopp stopped to chat with Berge after the clash between his side and Genk at Anfield earlier this month, while the latest European papers also claimed that the Merseysiders were chasing a €20m deal for him.

Speaking to Radio Punto Nuovo (via Goal), De Conde offered the latest on Berge, confirming that he has teams interested in his services.

“Napoli are interested in Sander, it’s a possibility a deal could be done,” the sporting director said. “We also know that Liverpool are interested and [Jurgen] Klopp, after the game at Anfield [in the Champions League], complimented him on his performance.

“There are clubs in Italy who are following Berge and Napoli could be one of them, but at this stage there are no offers on the table. From next week, things could change. We haven’t had any official contact with Napoli yet.”

De Conde didn’t confirm, however, whether Berge will be at the club next season should bids come in for the player.

 

 

“Berge to Napoli in January? We don’t know,” he said. “We are currently fighting for our seasonal goals and we are in a complicated situation. Our intention is to hold on to Sander until the end of the season, but we can’t make any predictions.

“If the big clubs come knocking at our door, we will have to start negotiations, just as the agent has to do. These are situations we can’t predict, we’re focused on our season, hoping to keep Sander until May. Then if a top club like Napoli is serious, we will sit at the same table to negotiate, it is logical.

“The current valuation of Berge? We do not talk about figures; we do not set a price at the moment. We will see when we find ourselves in a negotiation.”

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