Arsenal and Everton fans had contrasting emotions in the Transfer Tavern over the weekend, although both sets of supporters have the Europa League to look forward to this week.
The Gunners were lining the bar to celebrate their side’s 3-0 success over Bournemouth on Saturday, while the Toffees faithful were drowning their sorrows following a 3-0 loss at home to Tottenham, their second successive Premier League defeat.
Both teams have European commitments this week in the Europa League as well, and both sets of fans may well be interested in some recent quotes in Norway’s VG (via talkSPORT) from Genk midfielder Sander Berge, a reported target of the top-flight duo over the summer.
The 19-year-old only moved to the Belgian outfit back in January but has impressed for the club since, appearing 33 times in all competitions to help the team to an eighth place finish in the Belgian First Division last term, as well as the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
And his fine form for Genk reportedly attracted interest from several sides over the summer, including Arsenal and Everton, and although Sevilla reportedly had a bid rejected for the midfielder, the man himself seems satisfied with the way the club handled the situation over the summer.
He told Norway’s VG: ‘I do not know if the club have put a specific price on me, but they have been clear that they want to keep players regardless of the price to fight at the top.
‘I think it’s nice that the club like what I’m doing.’
These comments are sure to intrigue Arsenal and Everton fans, who will be aware that the Europa League will stretch their respective clubs’ squad this term, and thus could see their reported interest become more concrete come the New Year.
Landlord’s verdict: Both Arsenal and Everton have already suffered two Premier League defeats each this season, which suggests that both could be in for a tricky campaign what with the added pressure of the Europa League to contend with as well.
Those European commitments will stretch the squad, so it’s hardly a surprise that they were targeting many reinforcements over the summer, not least reportedly expressing an interest in Sander Berge of Genk.
The 19-year-old has hit the ground running at the Belgian outfit and earned many rave reviews, yet his recent comments express a notion of satisfaction with how the club dealt with the situation over the summer.
Intriguingly, he doesn’t appear particularly keen to leave, but if interest did ramp up in January, it’d be interesting to see if his view changes.
Arsenal and Everton fans… what do you make of the news? Let us know!
