Everyone here at home on the mountain knows that Sander Berge is a real monument. – After he was moved a little forward on the pitch, he has gained air under his wings and is now defined as a defensive midfielder.
His play last season for Fulham and it has shown for Norway both in the qualification for the World Cup and in the championship itself has put him on the map of the really big clubs. At Fulham, Champions League games seem to be a long way off, while Manchester United, under Michael Carrick who has learned everything from their former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, have lifted both their spirits and results.
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Norwegian Sander Berge is suddenly hotter than ever – and now the dream of a big European club can finally come true.
TEAMtalk has learned that Manchester United are once again discussing the Fulham star internally, and that the Norwegian international appears to be a very real option for Michael Carrick’s side.
The 28-year-old has had his definitive breakthrough in the Premier League this season, and recently delivered a number of impressive performances as Norway’s midfield anchor during the World Cup. With his combination of physicality, ball control and defensive stability, he has shown that he holds goals at the very highest level.
Despite having impressed regularly in England, Berge has never before been given the chance at one of Europe’s absolute top clubs. Now everything can turn around.
Manchester United’s giant midfielder’s
Sander Berge is already listed on the extensive midfield list Manchester United have put together before the summer transfer window. The club is planning a significant rebuild in midfield, led by recruitment manager Jason Wilcox.
After talks with Carrick, an urgent need for three central midfielders has been identified. Casemiro expires at the end of his contract, and Manuel Ugarte suffered what is feared to be a season-ending knee injury during the World Cup – forcing United to act.
The club has already secured Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa. Both have a proven track record of Premier League experience, but United want one more player – a defensive midfielder with immediate competitiveness in both the Premier League and Champions League.
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Why Berge is a perfect fit
And it is precisely that pursuit that has brought Berge back into the limelight.
Manchester United have now put their interest in Atalanta’s Ederson on ice after complications, and are therefore reconsidering several alternative targets. Brighton’s Carlos Baleba is still highly valued at Old Trafford, but Brighton demand a price tag that is considered too high.
Manu Koné is also on the radar, they are following the French international closely. – The same goes for Morocco’s breakthrough player Ayyoub Bouaddi.
But Berge? He is considered internally as a far more achievable option.
£40 million – a bargain?
Sources suggest that United believe they can sign the Fulham profile for under £40m – making him one of the most attractive price-for-money options on the market right now.
With his Premier League experience, physical presence and relatively moderate price tag, Berge’s value continues to rise at Old Trafford.
“He has everything a modern midfielder needs,” says a source close to the club. “And he’s proven it in the toughest league in the world, week after week.
The battle for midfield is wide open
But Berge is far from the only name on the list. Wolverhampton’s Joao Gomes is back on the radar after Atletico Madrid pulled out, although Aston Villa now look set to win the battle for him.
The little comet Ayyoub Bouaddi is still being monitored, despite fierce competition from all over Europe. And Kone is still in the picture – Chelsea is also showing interest.
Borussia Dortmund’s German star Felix Nmecha is another target.
Each candidate offers different qualities, but Berge’s unique combination of experience, physique and affordability means that he is still strong.
With Carrick and Wilcox now desperate to complete the final piece of the midfield puzzle before the window closes, the battle for the final spot remains wide open.
One thing is for sure: Norway’s midfield anchor is in the heat – and the move to one of the world’s biggest clubs could be closer than ever.
