ARSENAL have made a £17.2million bid for Sheffield United star Sander Berge, according to reports.
The Norwegian ace, 23, has shone in the heart of the Blades midfield this season despite their woeful form seeing them relegated.
Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are all keen on bringing Berge back to the Premier League immediately.
And the Gunners have made the first move, seeing a £17.2m bid rejected by Sheff Utd, according to reports.
Berge is believed to be keen on a move to the Emirates – particularly if fellow Norway star and Real Madrid loanee Martin Odegaard stays, according to football.london.
Los Blancos are believed to be eager to reintegrate Odegaard into their first-team squad after a series of successful loan deals.
But Berge is still claimed to be leaning towards Arsenal over North London rivals Tottenham or Liverpool.
All three clubs are itching for midfield reinforcements – where the Gunners particularly have looked light this season.
Tottenham are keen to add some depth to their centre-mid ranks, while the Reds will have to replace Georginio Wijnaldum this summer when he leaves on a free with his contract expiring.
However, Arsenal’s opening gambit fell flat with Sheff Utd scoffing at their £17.2m bid having only signed Berge for £20.7m a year ago.
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The Blades are looking for a fee closer to £25.8m AND a sell-on clause of between ten and 20 per cent.
Berge has made 20 appearances for club and country this season, scoring once – in Sheff Utd’s 2-1 defeat at Liverpool.
But despite pushing for European qualification in the 2019-20 season, the Blades were the first team to be relegated this season.
After 36 games, the Yorkshire side have picked up just 20 points with goals hard to come by.
Sheff Utd have mustered just 19 goals, losing 28 of their 36 matches in a woeful season that saw Chris Wilder sacked and replaced by Paul Heckingbottom on an interim basis.
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