Outgoing? SANDER BERGE ON WAY OUT ?

[Lucky1979]

It's mad. McCabe is gone, move on. Some of our supporters would rather we had Matt Spring in midfield and watch us chunter along in mid-table than show a bit of steel, keep our talismanic midfielder and walk the league so long as it makes the spreadsheets purr.

If it were up to me I'd be slapping a new contract on the table and offering to treble his wage the minute promotion is secured

Yep the lack of ambition amongst some fans is worrying. It’s an ingrained defeatist mentality. Uh oh, our best midfielder has 2 years left on his contract. Better sell him now so he doesn’t cost us anymore money. We should offer him out for less than he’s worth as well just so we don’t upset any potential buyers and put them off making an offer.

 

[wizadry]

I don’t think he’s a starter in anything other than a low end PL team and in that case there’s a good chance he gets relegated again. Liverpool wouldn’t buy him to play him. You’d hope that the club have said “give us this season and if we don’t go up we’ll listen to any offers”. Win win, he plays and we keep him.

Liverpool and Man Utd are currently lower end Prem teams.

 

[CopenhagenBlade]

I wonder if our good start to the season is giving Berge food for thought and that promotion winning season with us and then Premier League is better than the Belgian league or being a bench warmer at a club like Liverpool

 

[robbiez666]

I wonder if our good start to the season is giving Berge food for thought and that promotion winning season with us and then Premier League is better than the Belgian league or being a bench warmer at a club like Liverpool

The last bit genuinely made laugh

 

[Champagneblade]

Even if you think you’re Billy Big Bollocks, try taking that 2.25 2l bottle of milk to the till at Tesco and telling them you’d like to pay a quid for it.

They’ll quite rightly call security and tell you to jog on.

This is exactly what will likely happen, possibly with Liverpool as the window approaches and this is exactly how we should react.

I’m sure there’ll be some story put out by a reds loving journo at how little Sheffield United shouldn’t deny a player a dream move to play at Anfield. But the fact still remains, you don’t pay, you don’t get. If they rate him enough to think he’s good enough for their squad, then they should not insult him or the club by offering a fee that doesn’t reflect the value they see in him.

It’s very simple. The window closes in little over a week. There are two and only two options at this stage.

Option one says - pay his 35m release clause

Option two says - fuck off then

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

The cost to keep him? You mean the contract we agreed with him? Why are our fans so negative all the time? . Promotion is easier to achieve if you keep your best players. Should we just sell all our players now in case we don’t get promoted and to offset the “cost to keep them”?

I’m a negative fan?
Don’t be a prize plum, just try and look at this deal as if you’re in the real world rather than in a consequence free fantasy. Promotion isn’t guaranteed if we keep him as you and Luke claimed, and no I wasn’t talking about his contract and wages which will be a significant cost this season. I’m talking the difference between what you would get for him now vs next seasons fire sale if we fail.

Being naive and stupid, pretending there’s no potential risks to a decision isn’t being a positive super fan, neither is understanding that the club operate in the real world and have to cover their costs else very bad things happen. It’s also stupid to assume someone’s position on this just because they have the temerity to point out the flaws in your logic.

Keeping or selling Berge isn’t a simple choice with binary outcomes else it would be an easy no risk call.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

I expect him to go but at least we have owners who demand proper money to allow players to leave.

McCabe would have flogged anyone he could for more than a few mill by now.

Coupled with the then usual shite of "we need to cut our cloth accordingly". God, the man was a wank business man, knew nothing about football and was generally a stain on this club.

 

[Seth Rollins]

They all do it.
Got Bristol v Cardiff on now & they’re all at it.
No-one wants anything they say to be picked up on so pretty much every conversation is now conducted in this way.
So it doesn’t seem strange in that respect & you’re right, it could have been anything……
“You kept the score decent today mate.”
“Your round in the bar, pal. I’ll have a Babycham shandy.”
“How the fuck were you top of the league?”
“What do you reckon the supporters think we’re talking about when we have our hands like this?”
“Is that the first time you’ve ever been beaten by a shot from someone’s arse?”
“Oi mate, don’t tell anyone but I’m on the way out of here to (insert made up club here) for (insert made up amount here). Don’t forget, Mum’s the word

'

I’m a negative fan?
Don’t be a prize plum, just try and look at this deal as if you’re in the real world rather than in a consequence free fantasy. Promotion isn’t guaranteed if we keep him as you and Luke claimed, and no I wasn’t talking about his contract and wages which will be a significant cost this season. I’m talking the difference between what you would get for him now vs next seasons fire sale if we fail.

Being naive and stupid, pretending there’s no potential risks to a decision isn’t being a positive super fan, neither is understanding that the club operate in the real world and have to cover their costs else very bad things happen. It’s also stupid to assume someone’s position on this just because they have the temerity to point out the flaws in your logic.

Keeping or selling Berge isn’t a simple choice with binary outcomes else it would be an easy no risk call.

If we don't sell anyone we get PROMOTED. It really is that simple.

 

[Superblades]

I hope the club keep him and risk Berge going into his final year of contract and losing him for free. He could be the decider on whether we get promoted or not. We either take the £20 million for him now or he plays a big part in us going up and getting £100 million or whatever it is these days for promotion.

 

[Gin&Juice]

Think he goes:

Be a PL team who’ve started badly and in need of midfield reinforcements.

Think 35 Million is the price though.

RE: Berge. Magician. Best player we’ve had in a long time and until N’Diaye has another season, will still be the best.

Hats off to Hecky on this one, hard to believe some Barnsley lad with frosted tips in his youth has managed to rejuvenate a lot of players who fell by the wayside. Love how honest he is RE Berge. Don’t want to sell him, but knows we can’t reject a bid of 35. Great man-management as well, he’s built him up, never questioned his character but also spoke highly of his ambition.

I don’t mind ambitious players who play for us. Henderson was another, they gave their all, but if they want to play at the very top, they’re honest in a non- disrespectful way to us.

 

[Mouth of the South]

I think the club are playing it well, helped by the fact that they don't need to sell the player (although I think they were assuming Lowe would go). Normally, I'm sure they would hang onto him but as the player has expressed a desire to leave, I'm sure they'll agree should the magic number be offered.

Being honest, up to the start of the season, while I saw the qualities he has in patches, I really didn't get how he fitted-in to the Utd formation and style of play. However, in the role PH has crafted for him this season, I now get it and see how important he is to the side.

The cynics amongst us may say he is playing for a move and he may well be. TBH, given his performances this season, I would be surprised if he's still at the club on 2-Sept although Utd's chances of promotion will be increased if he is. I just hope the club have options lined up should he indeed go - I feel they're already a striker and CM short and even though any new recruits probably won't be a like-for-like replacement for Berge (there are several options for the #10 position), it would create a big hole in the squad should he leave and nobody else arrive.

 

[JJBlade]

I hope the club keep him and risk Berge going into his final year of contract and losing him for free. He could be the decider on whether we get promoted or not. We either take the £20 million for him now or he plays a big part in us going up and getting £100 million or whatever it is these days for promotion.

We won't lose him for free even if we don't get promoted.
He'll still be under contract, just a shorter term.

If definite offers come in which are less than our valuation they should be turned down flat.

As much as playing for Milan or Liverpool or whoever might appeal to him I genuinely think he likes playing for United and I don't think he is the sort to kick off

But he should be rewarded for the remainder of his contract if we turn an offer down, because as much as we can say "he's under contract" we are still taking tens of thousands of pounds a week out of his pocket.

This was Ramsdales beef with us, and although I don't care what that rat faced little turd thinks, I would like us to keep Berge happy

 

[Blade58]

From the Star re Heckys comments reiterated over Berges situation. Anyone know what this means?

“I appreciate it’s a business,” Heckingbottom told The Star. “We should be making performance-related decisions as soon as possible, though, rather than just black and white spread sheet ones. What you leave yourself with is just as important as the money at times.”
A charge notice registered at Companies House earlier this month revealed Macquarie Bank, who have already done business with United since their relegation from the Premier League, “has agreed, pursuant to the facility agreement, to provide the lender with a loan facility on a secured basis.”

I take this as another loan secured against the club? Stadium?

Sheffield United boss delivers an important message to the board as transfer deadline day looms

Paul Heckingbottom has urged Sheffield United to base their decisions during the closing stages of the transfer window on sporting factors rather than “spreadsheets”, after admitting it will now be almost impossible to replace anyone sold before next month’s deadline.

www.thestar.co.uk

 

[finlaytheblade]

Good source tonight from inside the club, he's going - just waiting for the top bid to roll in. Unlikely to meet the release fee. Berge more than happy to keep playing until that bid is accepted - enjoys playing here but that's where it ends.

And that source is?

 

[bartman]

If definite offers come in which are less than our valuation they should be turned down flat.

Whilst the rumoured buy out fee is £35 mill, I would be surprised if the club didn't accept £25 mill up front plus add ons to take it up to £35 mill. MGW was £25 mill plus £17k add ons so I think thing club will look at this on the same basis.

I think the majority of fans are expecting him to leave but if so, I hope were have a couple of replacements lined up before any sale

The alternative is to offer him a one year extension on increased wages and keep the buy out clause in case we don't get promoted

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I hope the club keep him and risk Berge going into his final year of contract and losing him for free. He could be the decider on whether we get promoted or not. We either take the £20 million for him now or he plays a big part in us going up and getting £100 million or whatever it is these days for promotion.

OK, and it’s fine to hold that view so long as you also accept that if we do fail and like last season there is a likelyhood we will need to raise significant funds quickly to keep the club operating, and therefore lower bids will have to be accepted for our assets. Namely, Berge, Ndiaye, Anel, Bogle?
If you’re fine with the potential consequences then it’s an informed choice. If you’re pretending we can keep everyone next season and go again turning down bids and play hardball on offers then it isn’t.

 

[ben1987]

Whilst the rumoured buy out fee is £35 mill, I would be surprised if the club didn't accept £25 mill up front plus add ons to take it up to £35 mill. MGW was £25 mill plus £17k add ons so I think thing club will look at this on the same basis.

I think the majority of fans are expecting him to leave but if so, I hope were have a couple of replacements lined up before any sale

The alternative is to offer him a one year extension on increased wages and keep the buy out clause in case we don't get promoted

There was a rumour went round a few weeks back that the club were considering my offering him increased terms to stay this season. Year extra on his contract but with a lower release clause if we didn’t go up.

Pay him more this season and have a real good go at it, then if we don’t go up reduce the release clause from 35m to 20 or something.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

There was a rumour went round a few weeks back that the club were considering my offering him increased terms to stay this season. Year extra on his contract but with a lower release clause if we didn’t go up.

Pay him more this season and have a real good go at it, then if we don’t go up reduce the release clause from 35m to 20 or something.

No idea as to the validity of the rumour, but it would seem very sensible from the club to at least be trying things like that.

I'd be surprised if Sander would accept it though.

Next year, the £35m release clause would become redundant without promotion.
Nobody would be paying that.
So there's no real dangling carrot for him there.
£20m might be the highest we could expect to receive without promotion, even if Sander had a massive season. So again, I'm not sure what the incentive would be.

 

[Lucky1979]

OK, and it’s fine to hold that view so long as you also accept that if we do fail and like last season there is a likelyhood we will need to raise significant funds quickly to keep the club operating, and therefore lower bids will have to be accepted for our assets. Namely, Berge, Ndiaye, Anel, Bogle?
If you’re fine with the potential consequences then it’s an informed choice. If you’re pretending we can keep everyone next season and go again turning down bids and play hardball on offers then it isn’t.

Sod it, sell em all now just in case we don’t get promoted. That way you’ll be happy and we will have a healthy balance sheet. Finishing 10th in the championship isn’t so bad after all is it. Hopefully we can get a bit of consistency and do it 5 years running.

 

[ben1987]

No idea as to the validity of the rumour, but it would seem very sensible from the club to at least be trying things like that.

I'd be surprised if Sander would accept it though.

Next year, the £35m release clause would become redundant without promotion.
Nobody would be paying that.
So there's no real dangling carrot for him there.
£20m might be the highest we could expect to receive without promotion, even if Sander had a massive season. So again, I'm not sure what the incentive would be.

It was a rumour from a few weeks ago which never seemed to gather much momentum. Could be totally false or refused by Sander / agent who knows.

I don’t know if it’s true or not and was just guessing at the figures. They could have said 15m and off he goes with our best wishes.

Would be good to have it resolved from our point of view either way.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Sod it, sell em all now just in case we don’t get promoted. That way you’ll be happy and we will have a healthy balance sheet. Finishing 10th in the championship isn’t so bad after all is it. Hopefully we can get a bit of consistency and do it 5 years running.

Honest question. Are you a child or do you just behave like one if anyone doesn't automatically accept your opinions without question?

No one is saying sell anyone, just do you understand the potential consequences of the decision?
Presumably you do, so if we keep him and don't go up, you won't be moaning when we have to sell our promising young talent for less than we'd like.
If you do then that's fine. If you don't then you're living in a fantasy world and thank God you aren't actually in charge of any strategic decision making.

Even though you keep posting my opinion without ever being given it I should probably clear that up.
I don't understanding the impact enough. I know we needed to cut our budget this season as less money was coming in, and we seemingly haven't.
In fact we've pushed the boat out even more which is an exciting approach which comes with steeper consequences. I'm fine with this and think it shows ambition by the board.
My key questions would be;
Within our figures have they included the need to sell a £20M+ asset this year?
Is this owner able and willing to cover these losses? I'm expecting not.
What level of revenue would we need to generate in pre-season next year if we do not go up? Is it in the likely £80M level most clubs have to generate upon relegation (we have £30M for Ramsdale)?
How much do we need to take out of the wage bill if we do not go up?

Then I could have an informed opinion on whether we can afford to be turning down a £25-35M bid for Sander. I wouldn't accept anything less.

 

[Superblades]

OK, and it’s fine to hold that view so long as you also accept that if we do fail and like last season there is a likelyhood we will need to raise significant funds quickly to keep the club operating, and therefore lower bids will have to be accepted for our assets. Namely, Berge, Ndiaye, Anel, Bogle?
If you’re fine with the potential consequences then it’s an informed choice. If you’re pretending we can keep everyone next season and go again turning down bids and play hardball on offers then it isn’t.

That’s the risk we have to take, we need to get back up before the parachute payments end otherwise we could end up in a lot of shit.

 

[MobileBlade]

Think he goes:

Be a PL team who’ve started badly and in need of midfield reinforcements.

Well Man U and Liverpoool do have a relegation 6 pointer this evening......

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

From the Star re Heckys comments reiterated over Berges situation. Anyone know what this means?

“I appreciate it’s a business,” Heckingbottom told The Star. “We should be making performance-related decisions as soon as possible, though, rather than just black and white spread sheet ones. What you leave yourself with is just as important as the money at times.”
A charge notice registered at Companies House earlier this month revealed Macquarie Bank, who have already done business with United since their relegation from the Premier League, “has agreed, pursuant to the facility agreement, to provide the lender with a loan facility on a secured basis.”

I take this as another loan secured against the club? Stadium?

Sheffield United boss delivers an important message to the board as transfer deadline day looms

Paul Heckingbottom has urged Sheffield United to base their decisions during the closing stages of the transfer window on sporting factors rather than “spreadsheets”, after admitting it will now be almost impossible to replace anyone sold before next month’s deadline.

www.thestar.co.uk

Did i read that correctly,if we sell anyone during the last days of the window,there will not be enough time to get a replacement ?

 

[Blade&Snuff]

This is one of the best squads I've seen us put together, I'd like to see us grow a pair, tell everybody to f##k off and go for it, I might be getting giddy but, I can see us getting one of the top two places.

 

[Bladeloyal]

From the Star re Heckys comments reiterated over Berges situation. Anyone know what this means?

“I appreciate it’s a business,” Heckingbottom told The Star. “We should be making performance-related decisions as soon as possible, though, rather than just black and white spread sheet ones. What you leave yourself with is just as important as the money at times.”
A charge notice registered at Companies House earlier this month revealed Macquarie Bank, who have already done business with United since their relegation from the Premier League, “has agreed, pursuant to the facility agreement, to provide the lender with a loan facility on a secured basis.”

I take this as another loan secured against the club? Stadium?

Sheffield United boss delivers an important message to the board as transfer deadline day looms

Paul Heckingbottom has urged Sheffield United to base their decisions during the closing stages of the transfer window on sporting factors rather than “spreadsheets”, after admitting it will now be almost impossible to replace anyone sold before next month’s deadline.

www.thestar.co.uk

Secured against parachute money

 

[Blacksea]

Did i read that correctly,if we sell anyone during the last days of the window,there will not be enough time to get a replacement ?

Given the length of time this saga has been going,the recruitment team should have been exploring Berge replacements for months now,ready to move quickly if he goes,including possible loan targets.
Even on deadline night you regularly hear of clubs selling a player and bringing his replacement in within hours,failure to replace Berge if he goes in this window is a failure of recruitment.

 

[bladesmanluke]

Given the length of time this saga has been going,the recruitment team should have been exploring Berge replacements for months now,ready to move quickly if he goes,including possible loan targets.
Even on deadline night you regularly hear of clubs selling a player and bringing his replacement in within hours,failure to replace Berge if he goes in this window is a failure of recruitment.

The thing is there is no adequate replacement possible for Berge. We simply cannot sign a player of his ability whilst we're a championship club and that's what Hecky is saying.

 

[Blacksea]

The thing is there is no adequate replacement possible for Berge. We simply cannot sign a player of his ability whilst we're a championship club and that's what Hecky is saying.

Recruitment is tasked with finding our best options,this is what they are paid to do.

 

[mattbianco1]

How will he push it through if Liverpool don't meet our valuation? I accept that Liverpool, AC Milan, Arsenal etc will be hugely attractive to any player, but those clubs still need to meet the asking price.

If they don't and Sander decides to start acting up, then he will end up losing out as we have ample options in AM positions now, so he risks being benched and watching his attractiveness to other clubs decline.

He could literally down tools and refuse to play. I don't think he would because he doesn't seem that type of player, but he could quite easily sulk if we refused a move to a big club.

I wouldn't be surprised if Arsenal came in for him. Odegaard is their new captain and he knows Ramsdale too.