Norway manager Stale Solbakken has called on Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge to leave the Championship club for a new challenge.

The 25-year-old has been an important member of Paul Heckingbottom’s team that has been challenging for promotion but, even though the Blades could soon be back in the Premier League, Solbakken feels a change of club is needed for the player to continue his development:

“The next step for him is that he has to leave the Championship. It has nothing to do with Sheffield United, because they are the second-best team there. But it has to do with the football that is generally played there. For him to take the next step, it may be good to enter a different culture and structure.”

Berge has been linked with a fair number of teams over the past few years, with the likes of Newcastle, Leeds, Liverpool, Arsenal and even Chelsea being mentioned as potential suitors.

However, no club has ever come close to matching United’s asking price for the Norwegian international. His contract does expire at the end of next season so a decision may have to be made on his future this summer but it remains to be seen if he will get the transfer that Solbakken wants.