Sheffield United stance on Sander Berge shows why Arsenal should prioritise two other transfers


Sheffield United’s stance on Sanger Berge should prompt Arsenal to pursue two other midfield targets instead.

Mikel Arteta is keen on bringing in two midfielders this summer and football.london understands that the Spanish coach is interested in the Norwegian midfielder to replace Granit Xhaka, who is on way to Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma.

The Blades signed Berge 18 months ago for £22million and Arsenal fans went wild when they saw that he had met Gunners loanee, Martin Odegaard, in London last month.

The South Yorkshire club are reportedly holding firm in the transfer market and are unwilling to let the 23-year-old leave Bramall Lane this summer unless his £35million release clause is met, something that Berge won’t complain about, according to Yorkshire Live.

While the former Genk man is undoubtedly a solid talent, the high fee may make Arsenal reconsider and instead pursue other reported midfield targets – namely Ruben Neves and Yves Bissouma, who are both likely to cost a similar fee.


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Wolves midfielder Neves, who is thought to be available for £34million, is arguably more suited than Berge to Arsenal’s style of play, often deployed in a similar role that Xhaka has occupied at the Emirates.

The Portuguese midfielder can anchor a midfield three, as well as be deployed as the holding midfielder in a pivot, meaning he can be utilised in Arteta’s favoured 4-2-3-1, as well as 4-3-3, which he has also experimented with in the past.

Berge averaged a measly 2.09 tackles and 0.21 interceptions per game last season, with Neves registering 2.64 tackles and 1.3 per 90 last term, showcasing his defensive nous is certainly superior.

Furthermore, Neves’ 4.52 progressive passer per game greatly exceeds Berge’s average of 2.67, a skill that the Gunners require considering they have struggled to break down teams in a low block under Arteta.

Brighton’s Bissouma, who is reportedly valued at £40million, is another midfielder that has been mooted with a potential move to the North London club after a hugely impressive 2020/21 campaign with the Seagulls.

football.london understands that the Gunners are keen on signing the Mali international this summer after he averaged a whopping 3.36 tackles and 1.72 interceptions per game for Graham Potter’s side last season.

The prospect of Bissouma partnering Thomas Partey is a mouth-watering prospect for Arsenal fans and the 24-year-old is a player that is highly rated by Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.

“The biggest talking point or bright spark from the game was the performance of Bissouma, who was the Man of the Match but not just the best player on the pitch, the best player by a mile on the pitch, he really was,” Carragher told Sky Sports after Bissouma starred during Brighton’s 0-0 draw with Everton in April.

“You looked at him and he really does look like a top-quality player. He was excellent at Old Trafford [against Manchester United] for Brighton and he just looked head and shoulders above everyone on the pitch [vs Everton].

The summer window is officially open, and it’s going to be tough to keep up with the comings and goings in and out of the Emirates.

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“He’s been someone a lot of teams have talked about or looked at. I don’t think teams will be looking at him, I think they will be bidding for him at the end of the season.”

Bissouma for £40million or Neves for £34million would likely be more sensible investments for Arsenal chief executive Edu compared to going for the injury-prone Berge at £35million.





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