Arsenal have reportedly been set a new asking price to seal a deal for Sheffield United midfielder Sander Berge.
Last month it was claimed that the Gunners had already had a bid rejected.
French outlet Jeunes Footeux via Sport Witness, who were one of the first to report Arsenal's interest in the midfielder, revealed that an offer worth around £17.2million for Berge was submitted.
However, Sheffield United turned down that offer and were said to want a minimum of £25.8m plus a 10-20% sell-on fee to even contemplate letting the Norway international seal a move to the Emirates Stadium this summer.
With that said, reports coming out of Norway suggest Berge has a release clause in his contract at Bramall Lane which has been lowered from £45m to £35m following the Blades' relegation from the Premier League.
Although, it should be noted that VG also state that the midfielder's asking price won't necessarily be £35m as the clause was agreed prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
Interestingly, Sheffield United chief executive Stephen Bettis has confirmed the relegation clause does exist, but insists he does not want any of his star players to leave this summer.
"That’s what parachute payments are there for, to help with that hangover," he said when speaking to Sky Sports. "All of our players have relegation clauses in their contracts.
"That puts us in a stronger position financially. We don’t want any of our players to leave, simple as that. We just want to strengthen.
"There has to be sustainability, it’s not boom or bust. But Slav does have the ability to bring players in this window and he knows that."
football.london understands Berge is keen on a move to Arsenal, particularly if the Gunners can convince Real Madrid to let them keep Martin Odegaard beyond this season.
Whether the latter happens remains to be seen, but the attacking midfielder is the club's first-choice target to fill the creative void after missing out on signing Emiliano Buendia.
Yet confirmation that a relegation clause exists for Berge does hand technical director Edu a boost in his attempts to complete Arsenal's first signing of the summer.
