Burnley ‘close in’ on £20m Newcastle United target after failed January move

Burnley are reportedly close to securing a deal for former Newcastle United transfer target Sander Berge just months after the Magpies tried to lure the Norway international to St James Park.

The midfielder has become an integral figure at Sheffield United after joining the Blades from Belgian club Genk in a reported £20million deal during the January 2020 transfer window. His form at Bramall Lane has led to several Premier League clubs monitoring his progress and there were several reports suggesting Newcastle made a move for his services in the final days of the winter window earlier this year.

With much of the focus on the Magpies successful bid to sign Anthony Gordon, United were said to have approached the then-Championship club with a view to taking Berge on loan before converting that deal into a permanent move this summer.

However, all offers were refuted and Berge helped Paul Heckingbottom’s side to promotion into the top tier after they ended the season as runners-up to Burnley.

Speaking just weeks after the transfer window came to a close, Berge said: "For me, it wasn't a big deal, it's part of the game. Transfer windows, there will always be speculation. I just move on, I just want to have fun and play football.

"It's a great group to be around, the way we are playing at the moment and for the last 12-14 months since the new staff came in has been brilliant. It's a great team and club to be part of. We are rising, every week, and pushing for promotion. That would be a perfect end to this season.

"I can't discuss future things like that. I just love playing football and being a part of this very beautiful club and these incredible team-mates that I have. I enjoy every day and we have a big project, which we have gone on now for a while. I just want to finish that in the best possible way. That's football, you never know what happens."

Berge is now into the final 12 months of the four-and-a-half year deal he penned when he moved to Bramall Lane and it now seems he will be joining another Premier League newcomer after journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed the two clubs had come to a ‘verbal agreement’ for the 25-year-old.

He tweeted: “Burnley are closing in on deal to sign Sander Berge from Sheffield United — verbal agreement almost completed between clubs. Sources guarantee medical could take place already today. Burnley started talks earlier for Berge as @mcgrathmike called.”

The Clarets are also said to be in advanced talks with Arsenal over a loan deal for Gunners midfielder Albert Sambi Lakonga, who spent the second half of last season with Premier League rivals Crystal Palace.