Norway manager Stale Solbakken has told Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge that he needs to leave the Championship if he wishes to develop his career further.
Berge, who arrived at Bramall Lane in 2020, has made 99 appearances for the club across all competitions and will be out of contract next summer. Fulham and Newcastle United were among clubs interested in him during the January transfer window but the Blades chose to hold onto their star player.
The 25-year-old was recently called up to play for Norway in the Euro 2024 qualifiers against Spain and Georgia. Speaking in an off-field interview, Solbakken advised Berge to seek a move to a different club if he wants to improve his game, saying:
“The next step for him is that he has to leave the Championship. It has nothing to do with Sheffield United, because they are the second-best team there. But it has to do with the football that is generally played there. For him to take the next step, it may be good to enter a different culture and structure.”
Despite interest from other clubs, Sheffield United will want to retain Berge, who has scored 14 goals and provided ten assists since his arrival. He is known for his versatility, able to play in four different positions, and his physical presence on the pitch. Moreover, he ranks highly in terms of progressive carries and touches in the attacking penalty area.
Given Berge’s importance to the team, losing him would be a significant blow for the Blades. They will face a challenge in keeping hold of him as his contract expiry approaches.
