Michael Brown issues honest transfer verdict involving Sheffield United duo Ndiaye and Berge | OneFootball

Former Sheffield United player Michael Brown has admitted that the club’s ability to retain the services of Iliman Ndiaye and Sander Berge on transfer deadline day was a real plus point.

With the Blades unable to loan in or purchase players due to the nature of their transfer embargo, they found themselves in a precarious position heading into the closing stages of the window.

Berge’s future was the subject of a great deal of speculation.

A report from Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol last weekend suggested that Fulham were in talks to sign the Norwegian for an initial fee of £20m.

Newcastle United were also touted with a potential loan swoop for the midfielder by the Northern Echo.

As for Ndiaye, the Senegal international was attracting interest from Everton in January.

According to the Sky Sports Transfer Centre (31/01, 21:04), the Blades opted to reject a £25m bid for Ndiaye from the Toffees.

Both Ndiaye and Berge could start for United this weekend when they face Rotherham United.

Speaking on the latest episode of The Official EFL Podcast about this particular duo, Brown said: “At 11pm I was actually quite pleased, I was wondering if there is going to be one of those late ones, is something pending?

“It wasn’t to be, I saw a phone call from Fulham coming into the BBC building about a late transfer and I’m like, surely it’s not going to be Sander Berge, please not, don’t do that.

“Because psychologically, obviously not being able to replace so late in the window with the embargo situation and things are difficult in that sense for Sheffield United.

“And obviously Iliman Ndiaye, who has been incredible, I was also wondering whether a particular Premier League club would come in with a loan-back type deal for somebody like that, that was quite attractive for him now.

“But I think [keeping them], that’s really a plus point for Paul Heckingbottom and the games coming up so, it’s interesting that it didn’t happen as even in the August window you felt like Berge was going to go then.”

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The Verdict

When you consider that Ndiaye and Berge have both delivered a host of impressive performances in the Championship this season, it did not come as a shock when they were linked with moves to the Premier League.

However, despite off-the-field issues, the Blades stood firm on deadline day and have now unquestionably bolstered their chances of achieving promotion by retaining the services of this duo.

Berge has been directly involved in seven league goals this season while Ndiaye has managed to find the back of the net on 10 occasions at this level.

Providing that these two players are able to maintain their fitness over the course of the coming months, the Blades could potentially launch a push for the Championship title as they are currently only five points behind leaders Burnley.