Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom admits the departure of Sander Berge to Premier League rivals Burnley is a ‘hugely disappointing’ development.
When the Blades secured their return to the top flight last season, the hope was that Heckingbottom’s side could take inspiration from Chris Wilder’s 2020/21 vintage.
Instead, the mere fact that Derby County’s record-shattering haul of 11 measly points continues to be mentioned in conjunction with Sheffield United is a reflection on how the summer window has gone from a club who look weaker now then they did in the Championship.
Talisman and top scorer Iliman Ndiaye joined Marseille last week.
Another of Heckingbottom’s star men appears to be following Ndiaye out of the Steel City too; the former Leeds United coach confirming to talkSPORT that Norway international Sander Berge is on his way to Burnley for a medical.
Sander Berge leaving Sheffield United for Burnley
“He’s going to go for his medical regarding Burnley. Hugely disappointed (to see Berge go). Yeah hugely disappointed (with) the timing of it, the fact he’s going,” an exasperated Heckingbottom sighs.
To complicate things further, the Barnsley-born gaffer knows that finding adequate replacements – at such a late stage of the window – may be easier said than done.
“I’d prepared (to lose Ndiaye and Berge) a long time ago,” Heckingbottom adds. “The problem is, when you leave it this long, everything changes with regards to your targets.”
Sheffield United paid a club-record £22 million to sign the rangy, powerful Berge from Club Brugge three years ago. He could now join Burnley for £10 million less, according to the Daily Mail.
The Blades reportedly want Coventry City playmaker Gustavo Hamer as Berge’s replacement. Lommel’s former Espanyol loanee Vinicius Souza is another under consideration.
Burnley, meanwhile, could bring in Wilson Odobert from ESTAC Troyes this week too. Odobert will set the Clarets back a further £9.5 million. The teenage winger missed Troyes’ opening game of the Ligue 2 season over the weekend.
