Relegation rarely has its rewards. Sheffield United finished bottom of the Premier League and will play Championship football next season. They already know the majority of the opposition they will face next season, with the remaining positions being decided via the Football League Play-Off Finals this weekend.
The Blades have already captured their first signing of the season in new manager Slavisa Jokanovic, the former Watford, and Fulham boss. For Sheffield United and its supporters, it may be the most crucial signing this summer. And whilst no doubt there will be new players coming in, there is likely to be player exits.
The first exit casualty of the season is likely to be Norwegian midfielder, Sander Berge. Football League World has reported that Arsenal is set to make a fresh bid for the player who has a £35million release clause in his contract, for the player who made 20 appearances last season for both club and country. He was absent for the majority of the season through injury.
However, it has been suggested that the Norwegian has every intention of leaving the Blades this summer, and this report suggests that he will be Arsenal bound.
Our View
Berge had seemingly suggested for several months of his intent to leave Sheffield United. We don’t know if this is due to their slump and eventual relegation or were always seen as a stop-gap. Having been injured for the majority of the season through no fault of his own nor the club, it is my opinion that he ought to give the Blades that bit more of an opportunity, rather than jumping at the first opportunity. However, if he is to leave, I pray that the club claws back as much as they can for him – other clubs would do the same!