Sheffield United: Bids rejected for midfielder
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Berge has been linked with a move away from South Yorkshire since the end of last season, when United were beaten in the Championship play-offs by Nottingham Forest.
Signed from Genk for £22m when they were still a Premier League club, Heckingbottom’s employers agreed to insert a release clause into the 24-year-old’s agreement, which is now believed to stand at £35m.
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Although United’s board of directors are prepared to consider any “serious” offers below that figure according to sources behind the scenes, Heckingbottom said: “We have had bids for Sander, yes. From my perspective, I would always say ‘no’ anyway. But the bids that came in for Sander were nowhere near the club’s valuation, regardless of any release clause.”
Club Brugge are known to have made contact with United about Berge soon after their defeat at the City Ground, amid reports that Leeds were also monitoring his situation. Leicester City and Brentford are the latest to be linked, as Berge’s representatives continue to scour the transfer market for potential buyers for their client.
“My opinion is ‘don’t sell him’ no matter what,” said Heckingbottom, ahead of Monday’s visit to Watford. “He’s a fantastic player and there’s more to come from him. We’d be weaker without him in my eyes but I also appreciate this is a business as well.”