Newcastle United may have been handed a potential blow in their reported interest in the Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge.

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There have been strong suggestions the Toon could look to the Norwegian midfielder in the coming hours as a possible replacement for Jonjo Shelvey who is set to leave the club.

It appears Newcastle are not the only side looking to bring in the 24-year-old in the final days of the January window with Fulham also credited with an interest.

Now, with only hours remaining in the window, the midfielder could see his future lie in the Premier League with two of the top-flight's in-form sides believed to be chasing him.

However, speaking on Sky Sports News, Keith Downie has claimed the Blades may prefer Fulham's offer with the Cottagers looking to buy him this month rather than a loan as the Magpies are proposing:

(17:20) "It's my understanding that Sheffield United would probably prefer the money now. So at this moment, you would say Fulham probably looking in the driving seat with regards to that.

"Newcastle's offer I think would amount to more money, but the finances wouldn't come through until later on."

Battle on their hands?

Newcastle will surely provide any potential transfer target with a seriously attractive proposition given the incredible transformation that has happened on the pitch over the last year.

Eddie Howe's side are now chasing a spot in next season's Champions League and could even end their long trophy drought with a place in the Carabao Cup final still to play for.

However, there could well be an issue if the Magpies are offering the Blades an initial loan deal with only the option to buy at the end of the campaign.

And if that is the case, then there is very little incentive for United to prefer the potential proposal from the Magpies if the Cottagers would be offering them guaranteed cash.

The report from Sky Sports has suggested the London side would be willing to put forward an offer of £20m plus add-ons to the Championship side ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

And although Newcastle's potential deal could amount to more money, there would be no guarantee of the Toon activating the buy clause at the end of the campaign.

But with Howe suggesting any business done in the final hours of the window would be on a loan basis, this could prove a huge blow in their pursuit of Berge.