Newcastle transfer hit as Sheffield Utd ace Sander Berge Blades wants promotion and stay until the end of NEXT season

SANDER BERGE will finalize his contract with Sheffield United and become a free agent at the end of NEXT season.

The Norwegian ace, 24, was linked with several Premier League clubs last week but is now hoping to take on Blades and become a desirable target.

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Sheffield United are flying high in the Championship this season and are on course for automatic promotion.

The Blades are seven points behind leaders Burnley but ten ahead of third-placed Middlesbrough.

Paul Heckingbottom’s men avoided defeat in their last game against Rotherham.

The two teams played a goalless draw at New York Stadium.

Newcastle and Fulham were two teams planning a mid-season move for Berge last month.

A transfer fee of around £20million has been touted for the midfielder.

But with promotion on the horizon, in a swipe at Newcastle and Co, Berge will likely see his contract running until the summer of 2024, SunSport understands.

That will likely give the player a season in the top flight to excite potential suitors.

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Ahead of Rotherham, manager Heckingbottom expressed his delight at Berge staying put.

He said: “There was interest and bids and I know they (Berge and Ndiaye) could have been sold but they weren’t.

“I kept saying at Wrexham that Sander wasn’t there because there was speculation.

“I still had hope that he wouldn’t go. I didn’t want him to go and Sander is comfortable.

“Sander is happy that he is still here. I’m happy and grateful that we kept the players.”