A competing Premier League team is poised to acquire a player Manchester United was pursuing, for a hefty fee of £25 million.

Manchester United's pursuit of talented midfielder Sander Berge from Burnley has come to an end as he has agreed to join Fulham instead. The Red Devils had shown interest in the Norwegian player, but it seems like they have missed the opportunity to secure his signature.

Erik ten Hag, the United manager, had been on the lookout for a new central midfielder, and Berge emerged as an unexpected target. The club's primary target, PSG's Manuel Ugarte, had a hefty price tag of £51 million, which proved to be a significant obstacle. Hence, they explored other options like Sofyan Amrabat, Frenkie de Jong, and Youssouf Fofana.

Berge has been a prominent figure in the Premier League in recent years, despite facing relegation twice with Sheffield United and then Burnley last season. However, the 26-year-old will not be making his way to Old Trafford, as The Athletic has reported that he has agreed to join Fulham for a fee of £20 million, with a potential for additional £5 million in add-ons. Personal terms have also been agreed, and he is scheduled to undergo a medical on Tuesday.

Even though Berge was not United's top choice, his move to Fulham will have an impact on the rest of their transfer window. Fulham's interest in United's midfielder Scott McTominay will come to an end with Berge's arrival. The Cottagers had been actively pursuing McTominay and had even reopened talks with United, but with Berge's signing, they are no longer in the market for a midfielder.

Other Premier League clubs and Napoli had also shown interest in McTominay, but it now seems more likely that he will stay at Old Trafford. The Red Devils are not actively looking to sell the 27-year-old, but that could change if the player requests a move. If that happens, United could use the funds from his sale to pursue Ugarte, as the transfer deadline is just over a week away. Sign up for more Manchester United news, exclusives, and analysis. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

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