The dying embers of the January transfer window saw Newcastle United linked with all manner of players.
While the club brought in both Anthony Gordon and Harrison Ashby, the decisions to let Chris Wood and Jonjo Shelvey leave for Nottingham Forest arguably left the squad a little light.
Shelveyâs exit in particular was something Eddie Howe admitted he didnât want to happen, such are the lack of options in midfield.
Indeed, it was certainly clear as to why so many players were touted as potential targets.
Sander Berge opens on Newcastle links
One of those was Sander Berge.
A Norway international plying his trade in the Championship with Sheffield United, the 25-year-old was linked with a late move to St Jamesâ Park.
With Shelvey having gone, it made sense. Bruno Guimaraes has previously expressed a desire to play further forward and Berge, experienced in the Premier League, could feasibly have come in to operate in No.6 role.
Still, nothing happened.
Now, Berge has been speaking to TV2 in Norway (via Newcastle World) and revealed he was sick of being linked away.
âIt never got to the point where I needed to make a choice. I wasnât very involved. It passed, then I was playing matches again. There will be speculation. The boys know how to make a bit of fun out of it.
âI see that it can look like that from the outside, that it will be the same pattern every time, but I donât stress. Teammates and people around joke a bit about it when it comes up again and again, but for me itâs just about focusing on football.â
Has Berge missed his chance?
Having missed out on the Blades star in January, it seems Newcastle are moving on to other options.
Indeed, the Daily Telegraph have claimed Manchester Unitedâs Scott McTominay is now a leading target ahead of the summer transfer window.