Fulham Bid £20m for Burnley's Sander Berge as Cottagers Bolster Midfield

Fulham have stepped up their pursuit of Burnley midfielder Sander Berge with a £20 million bid, plus £5 million in potential add-ons. The Norway international could become the Cottagers' fourth signing of the summer as they look to reinforce their squad following the high-profile departure of Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich in July.

Berge, 26, has been a key player for Burnley since joining from Sheffield United, but his future at Turf Moor has been the subject of much speculation. Despite being linked with Manchester United earlier in the transfer window, it is Fulham who are now in pole position to secure his services. The towering midfielder has yet to feature in Burnley’s opening Championship fixtures, with manager Scott Parker citing an injury as the reason for his absence.

Fulham manager Marco Silva is keen to add more depth and quality to his midfield after the departure of Palhinha, a key figure in the club’s successful campaign last season. With Berge’s experience and versatility, the Cottagers hope the Norwegian will bring stability and creativity to their engine room. Berge, who stands at 6’5”, is known for his physicality, ball-carrying ability, and composure under pressure, attributes that could make him a vital cog in Silva’s setup.

Should the move materialize, Berge will join an exciting group of new arrivals at Craven Cottage. Fulham have already secured Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal, Jorge Cuenca from Villarreal, and Ryan Sessegnon from Tottenham Hotspur as part of their ambitious recruitment drive. With these additions, the club aims to continue building on last season’s mid-table finish and push for a place in the top half of the Premier League.

In addition to their pursuit of Berge, Fulham have also been targeting Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen. However, their most recent bid of £25 million plus £5 million in add-ons was rejected by Palace, who are holding out for a higher fee. Andersen, a former Fulham loanee, remains a priority target as Silva seeks to strengthen his defensive options before the window closes.

Berge’s move would also reunite him with Craven Cottage, the scene of his only Premier League goal last season when Burnley secured a 2-0 victory over Fulham in December. Having played 37 games for the Clarets during their ill-fated campaign that ended in relegation, Berge is now keen to return to the top flight and test himself at the highest level once again.

Fulham’s bid for Berge reflects the club’s determination to stay competitive in a fiercely contested Premier League. As the clock ticks down on the transfer window, Marco Silva and his recruitment team are leaving no stone unturned to secure the players needed to propel the club forward.