Newcastle United are interested in a deal to bring Sander Berge to St. James' Park on transfer deadline day.
What's the talk?
That's according to Sky Sports News (via Football Daily), who revealed in a live update on Tuesday morning that the Sheffield United central midfielder remains a target of Eddie Howe heading into the final hours of the January transfer window.
This claim comes despite it being reported on Monday that Fulham looked to be closing in on a £20m deal for the Norway international, with it appearing as if the Magpies have now hijacked the Cottagers' swoop for the 24-year-old.
Regarding Newcastle's interest in Berge, presenter Bela Shah said: "Newcastle a considering a late swoop for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge after Jonjo Shelvey completed his medical at Nottingham Forest."
Gallagher alternative
With it being reported that Newcastle could be priced out of a £50m move for Conor Gallagher - with Chelsea appearing adamant not to strengthen a direct rival for a top-four finish in the league - the argument that Berge would represent something of a dream alternative to the England international is an easy one to make.
Indeed, over his 19 Championship appearances so far this season, the £14m-rated talent has been in sensational form going forwards, having already scored four goals, registered three assists and created five big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 1.4 shots, making 1.2 key passes and completing 1.5 dribbles - at a success rate of 55% - per game.
The £33k-per-week midfielder has also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, enjoying an average of 49.3 touches, playing 1.1 long balls and completing 27.7 total passes - at a success rate of 79% - per match, as well as making an average of 1.2 tackles, 0.5 interceptions and winning 4.0 duels - at a success rate of 48% - per fixture.
These returns have seen the 24-year-old - who Scouted Football claimed would "fit well at most European-level clubs across the top five leagues" - average an extremely impressive Sofascore statistical rating of 6.98, ranking him as the Blades' seventh-best performer in the league - playing a key role in his side's charge for automatic promotion this season.
Furthermore, the aforementioned Scouted Football quite clearly believe that Berge more than has the ability to play his football at the very highest level of the European game, with the media outlet tweeting of the Norwegian:
"Does your club need a physically-dominant deep-lying midfielder that can cover space quickly and break up play, receive and release the ball efficiently, and help move possession forward with good passing and bulldozer-like ball-carrying? If so, Sander Berge is your guy."
As such, considering his remarkable returns for United this season, coupled with his scope for future development further down the line, it would indeed appear as if Berge would represent something of a dream alternative to Gallagher for the Magpies - especially considering he looks to be available for around £30m less than the Englishman.