What Mikel Arteta said about speculation linking Arsenal with move for Sheffield United's Sander Berge

The Norwegian, who was United’s record signing when he joined back in January, has been United’s most impressive performer this season.

And speculation in recent days has suggested Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal boss, is about to mount a bid for the giant midfielder.

But Arteta today quashed the talk.

"Albert (Stuivenberg) knows him very well. It is a player that he likes,” Arteta said.

"But we have not showed any interest for the player. He is a Sheffield United player. We have not done anything at all.”

Stuivenberg is on Arteta’s backroom staff and managed Berge at Genk back in 2017.

The Star understands Arsenal were keen on Berge in January. But the speculation in recent days appears to have arisen from a mis-translation of an article written by Norwegian journalist, Arilas Ould-Saada, which mentioned Arsenal were keeping tabs on Berge in January – before his £22m move to Bramall Lane.