Italian giants Napoli are targeting Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge as a potential replacement for Fabian Ruiz, according to Gazzetta dello Sport - via Sport Witness.

However Gli Azzurri are reportedly reluctant to pay the Blades' asking price for the 23-year-old - which is said to be €12 million due to a relegation release clause in the Norwegian's contract - and will instead only stretch their budget to €8 million.

Berge was United's record signing in January 2020 when he made a move from Genk for £22 million, but missed a large portion of the 2020-21 season through injury as his club were relegated from the Premier League.

It looks increasingly likely that Berge will depart Yorkshire this summer and the Sheffield Star believe that the club will only accept their £35 million valuation for the powerful midfielder.

But Italian reports claim that Berge actually has a clause that would allow him to leave for £25 million less than that figure - €12 million equates to around £10.3 million and that seems awfully cheap for a talented player.

It doesn't even seem as though Luciano Spalletti's side are even willing to meet that price though, so for now Berge will remain at Bramall Lane until a price that the club are happy with is met.

The Verdict

There's a chance that the figures may have been lost in translation somewhat as it seems very hard to believe that Berge would have such a low release clause in his contract.

Local reports have been adamant that it's £35 million or nothing for Berge this summer and if that isn't met then there's a chance that he remains at Sheffield United for at least the first half of the season.

It wouldn't be the first time that a relegated club kept a big player around - due to parachute payments we see it more frequently nowadays with players like Emi Buendia, Ismaila Sarr, David Brooks and Aleksandar Mitrovic lighting up the second tier in recent seasons, and Berge may enter that category if no-one meets the asking price.