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Sander Berge’s Sheff Utd transfer in doubt as Genk up price to £22m for midfielder
SANDER BERGE's move to Sheffield United has stalled because Genk are demanding in excess of £22million for the Norwegian midfielder.
Chris Wilder's side previously thought they would be able to land their man for around £18m - £4m less than what SunSport understand the Belgian club are holding out for.
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The 21-year-old has 20 international caps and is thought to have told Genk he wishes to leave the club in this month's transfer window.
Earlier this month, it was reported Manchester United were ready to go head-to-head with Sheffield United to secure the signing of Berge in a £20million deal.
There were even rumours on Twitter that a mystery man spotted arriving at Manchester United's Carrington training ground WAS in fact Berge, however the tweets were quickly deleted.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side are eager to add some depth to their midfield options with Scott McTominay's injury keeping him out until after the team's winter break.
French World Cup winner Paul Pogba is also injured and with his future up in the air Solskjaer turned his attention to signing Sporting Lisbon's Bruno Fernandes, with a deal virtually done for the 25-year-old.
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The imminent arrival of Fernandes means a move to Manchester United is now unlikely for Berge, who helped Genk to the Belgian league title last season and has scored four goals in 23 games this time round.
The Norwegian has caught the eye of a number of top European managers, including Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp who it is claimed spoke to the player after the two sides met in the Champions League earlier this season.
He said: "You are an interesting player - a very interesting player."
Berge added: "It was a great moment. You have a big smile when you receive those sorts of compliments.
"It is wonderful when such a renowned manager as Jurgen Klopp comes over and says something like that."
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Sheffield United failed to sign Berge in the summer and now it appears Genk are trying to drive up the price for their midfielder after the South Yorkshire club renewed their interest in him.
The player and his agent met with the Genk hierarchy to make clear his desire to leave - with his preferred destination the Premier League.
A development in negotiations is expected ahead of Friday's transfer deadline and Berge could potentially be the club's new record signing if he arrives for more than the £20m paid to Swansea for Oli McBurnie last summer.
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