Paul Heckingbottom spells out Sheffield United talks with Sander Berge amid Leeds United link

Paul Heckingbottom will speak with Sander Berge when he returns to the club for pre-season. However, it won't be to address speculation about links to their Yorkshire rivals Leeds United.

The Norwegian midfielder, along with other Sheffield United players who have been on international duty in pre-season, has been allowed to report back at a slightly later date than the rest. He had taken part in his country's Nations League matches earlier in the month.

His national team manager Ståle Solbakken caused a stir when he began speaking about Berge's future and how it would be 'good for him to think about it' after declaring he 'does not belong in the Championship'. Heckingbottom has taken exception to those comments, reminding him he is 'our player' and that the second tier of English football is still the 'fourth biggest league in the world'.

Berge responded to Solbakken's suggestion by saying his future would be taken care of on his return to club football. He has recently been linked with interest from Heckingbottom's former club up the M1 at Elland Road.

Agents acting on his behalf have been reported as being busy ascertaining if clubs in a higher league would be interested in taking their client this summer. Yorkshire Live is aware of one club who expressed an interest with those representatives.

United's stance over the sale of their big asset has been well documented. He has a release clause of £35m and having paid £22m for him in January 2020, the club is unwilling to accept anything less.

It's been claimed Leeds are eyeing up a move for the 24-year-old to replace Man City-bound Kalvin Phillips. Berge is expected to travel with his team-mates on the pre-season tour to Portugal next week and Heckingbottom is