Newcastle United are reportedly among a number of Premier League clubs chasing Norwegian international Sander Berge. The 24-year-old stayed at home as Sheffield United drew 0-0 with National League outfit Wrexham yesterday.
After the game, manager Paul Heckingbottom confirmed he was told to leave the midfielder out of his squad as talks are ongoing about a possible exit. He said: "Our club is speaking to other clubs regarding him. It doesn't mean he is going anywhere, Sander is happy here.
"But the situation we find ourselves in is mid-takeover, transfer embargo, no clarity on which way it is going and financial issues. One way to resolve the issues is to sell a player. Everyone knows my thoughts on it."
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Uncertainty at Bramall Lane, despite sitting second in the Championship, means the Blades could be forced to sell their asset. ChronicleLive has profiled Berge to outline what he could bring to St James’ Park.
Background
Born in Baerum, an affluent part of Oslo, Norway’s capital, Berge comes from a sporting background. His grandfather, Ragnar Berge, played as a left-back and earned one cap for the national team against the Republic of Ireland.
Basketball is a major influence in his family as his mother and brother both played at international level. Berge made his professional debut in the Norwegian third division as a 15-year-old, quickly gaining the attention of Valerenga in the top flight.
Two years at the Oslo outfit saw the youngster make a name for himself and it was not long before bigger fish expressed interest. Genk, then playing in the Europa League, paid £2million to sign him in 2017.
Three seasons at the Norwegian giants allowed them to make a tidy profit on their investment as the Blades stumped up 10x that amount, earning Berge a move to the Premier League.
Achievements
Berge was part of the Genk side that won the Belgian Pro League in 2018-19, making 28 appearances for the Smurfs. Two years earlier, the club reached the quarter-final stage of the Europa League, the furthest they have ever reached in European competition.
In England, Berge was instrumental in Sheffield United’s play-off run last season. He only made 29 Premier League appearances across two seasons due to his tender age but has developed as a talent in the Championship.
At 24, he has matured as a player and is part of a side storming to automatic promotion. The Blades are 14 points clear of third-placed Watford, making them heavy favourites to reach the promised land.
On the international stage, the midfielder made his debut at just 19. He is part of a talented Norwegian crop that includes Arsenal talisman Martin Odegaard and Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland
Playing style
At 6ft 5in, Berge is a physical beast. The 24-year-old is not a flashy player as expansive passing is not his forte.
A simple, no-nonsense, “steady Eddie”, Berge plays in a deep-lying midfield role, or what European football fans may call a “six”. He does carry the ball well, completing 2.5 dribbles per 90 minutes during Genk’s successful Europa League campaign in 2016-17.
Nine goals in 50 Championship appearances over two seasons would suggest that, although not a prolific goalscorer, Berge is capable of contributing going forward. This is a development to his game in recent seasons.
Where would he fit in?
Newcastle are down to the bare bones in midfield so another option would be welcomed. Bruno Guimaraes, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock and Joelinton are the current options but the latter has been playing out wide.
No cover on the bench in recent weeks has alarmed supporters, especially as Jonjo Shelvey, nearing a return from a calf strain, is being allowed to leave for Nottingham Forest. As a deeper midfielder, Berge could allow Guimaraes to play a more advanced role.
Eddie Howe took advantage of this option last season and the Brazilian repaid his faith with a new-found goalscoring streak. Berge’s age also allows Howe to develop him in his own image on the training field, with plenty of scope for improvement.
Liverpool, however, are also one of the clubs supposedly in the race for his signature. Jurgen Klopp is embroiled in his own midfield crisis at Anfield but securing Champions League football appears a difficult task this season.
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