da pinup bet: Liverpool are expected to ask a sizeable fee for Sepp van den Berg amid Premier League interest following his season at Mainz.
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Sepp van den Berg back from loanDefender valued at £20 millionArne Slot keen to assess youngsterWHAT HAPPENED?
Brentford and Southampton are the two English sides linked with Van den Berg, with reporting that Liverpool are seeking £20 million ($25.6m) for the Dutch centre-back. But there could even be a chance that he commands a place at Anfield next season, with new manager Arne Slot ready to assess his fellow countryman in pre-season before a transfer decision is made.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Van den Berg is coming off the back of a full season in the Bundesliga with Mainz that saw him start 31 out of 34 league games. The team's late run of form saw them pull away from relegation danger in the final two months of the campaign. Having joined Liverpool as a 17-year-old back in 2019, he hasn't played for the Reds since February 2020, with others loan spells at Preston North End and Schalke.
DID YOU KNOW?
Van den Berg has a contract at Liverpool for two more years until the summer of 2026, signing his current deal in 2022 immediately prior to joining Schalke on loan.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR VAN DEN BERG?
Pre-season stands to be an important time for Van den Berg, with the opportunity to cement himself in Slot's squad. A place among Liverpool's centre-back group is likely to open up with Joel Matip's expected summer departure. Players not involved at Euro 2024 or the Olympics will be back in training in the first week of July, with Liverpool so far confirming friendlies against Real Betis, Arsenal and Manchester United in the U.S.