Everton are stepping up interest in Sheffield United midfelder Sander Berge.

The Examiner reports Arsenal were the first club to be linked with the 23-year-old back in December.

Mikel Arteta's assistant Albert Stuivenberg was Berge's manager at Genk and is known to be a huge admirer of the midfielder.

However, more clubs have joined the race in recent weeks.

Aston Villa were the next club reported to be showing interest, before Liverpool and Everton followed suit.

Berge is no stranger to Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. The German coach went straight up to Berge at the final whistle of a Champions League game between Genk and Liverpool and said a few words having been impressed with his performance.

Former Blades midfielder Jamie Hoyland is a scout at Everton and has been seen on a number of occasions in attendance at United matches, but more recently Serie A giants AC Milan and Lazio have been linked by Italian media.