Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic has insisted that he hopes the Blades will be able to keep hold of midfielder Sander Berge but confessed they are preparing in case he is sold.

Berge’s future at Sheffield United has been in doubt ever since the Blades were relegated from the Premier League. It has been reported that Arsenal are rivalling both Everton and Aston Villa in the race for the midfielder’s signature this summer.

While it is also believed that Jokanovic’s side are looking for a fee of around £35 million for him if they are to sanction a sale during the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old has also been linked with a potential move to both Serie A sides Napoli and Atalanta as well. Although Football League World has revealed that he is preferring to remain in English football.

Speaking to the Sheffield Star, Jokanovic has now suggested that the Blades are preparing for if Berge does leave the club this summer. However, he also insisted that he hopes the midfielder does remain with them in the Championship.

He said: “I know the situation with Sander. There is a possibility that he will be one guy who leaves, but I hope this doesn’t happen.

“But the club informed me about this for a reason, so that we can be ready if that does happen. If it doesn’t, then of course that will be good for us too.”

The Sheffield United boss went on to also explain that the midfielder is suffering from a minor injury at the moment and that is why he has not been involved in their pre-season to date.

He added: "Sander has a minor (injury) problem. I stress, a minor one. That is why he wasn’t with us. He is with the medical people but it is nothing serious. That is what he is working on at the moment and he will be okay soon.”

The verdict

These comments from Jokanovic suggest that it is going to be a challenge for Sheffield United to keep hold of Berge as we all knew it would be this summer. It seems that they are prepared for the event that he leaves the club and that means that they should have replacements already in mind that they can turn to and look to bring into the club.

Losing Berge is going to be a blow for the Blades if it happens, but the potential cash injection that a sale would provide could also be vital in helping him add players to his squad that might make all the difference to a potential promotion push. Therefore, selling him would not be the worst thing for Sheffield United if they are forced into that.

The midfielder is clearly someone that is too good for the Championship and therefore it would be no surprise if he is to be sold. Jokanovic will be aware of what he could bring to the table if he was to remain with the Blades this summer and that is why he will be hoping that he can keep him at the club.