Mikel Arteta admits one of his assistants likes Sander Berge, but denies Arsenal have made any kind of move for the Sheffield United midfielder.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND: A poppy is seen on the shirt of Sander Berge of Sheffield United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane on October 31, 2020. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND: A poppy is seen on the shirt of Sander Berge of Sheffield United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane on October 31, 2020. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Norwegian outlet VG recently reported that Arsenal were one of the clubs ‘very interested’ in signing Sander Berge from Belgian side Genk before he joined Sheffield United in January. The same outlet claim the Gunners still hold that same interest in the player today.

Responding to the reports in his pre-Molde press conference, Mikel Arteta admitted his assistant Albert Stuivenberg likes the player but denies they’ve shown any kind of interest in him.

“That’s probably why (there are links to Berge), because Albert knows him really well,” Arteta said. “He’s a player [Albert] liked but we haven’t shown any interest in the player. He’s a Sheffield United player and we haven’t done anything at all.”

Stuivenberg was previously the manager at Genk, leading them to the Europa League quarter-finals in 2017. Berge made 40 appearances under the Arsenal assistant in under a year, so it would be difficult for Arteta to deny Stuivenberg likes him.

But that doesn’t mean Arsenal have any plans to follow that up. Arsenal aren’t Genk, and Stuivenberg isn’t their manager, so there are plenty of other factors to consider. It just makes it a little more likely Stuivenberg might recommend the player.