Dutch star to leave Liverpool despite Slot arrival

Willem Leijgraf

Updated: 22 May 2024 15:47 BST
4 min read

A collaboration between Sepp van den Berg and Arne Slot at Liverpool seems out of the question, according to German media.

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The 22-year-old central defender spent the season on loan for FSV Mainz 05, who are prepared to put a sum of millions on the table for his permanent signing, reports Kicker. It is expected that the transfer of Van den Berg to the German side will be completed as soon as possible.

As a great talent from PEC Zwolle, Van den Berg moved to Liverpool in the summer of 2019 at the age of 17 for just under €2 million. However, he played only managed to make four senior appearances for the Reds and was loaned to Preston North End and Schalke 04.

In the bygone season, Van den Berg spent time on loan at Mainz, where he played a total of 35 games and scored three times, establishing himself as a solid but not outstanding Bundesliga defender.

This, however, is good enough for a Mainz side who narrowly escaped relegation in 2023/24. The Zerofivers are convinced of Van den Berg's qualities and, despite the season being over, they have not yet said goodbye to the former Dutch youth international.

Jurgen Klopp's former side want to activate the purchase clause in Van den Berg's loan agreement. This reportedly amounts to €5m. The right-footed stopper still has a contract with Liverpool until 2026.

Good business from Mainz

Last summer, Van den Berg was linked to Ajax, but after impressing on loan at Schalke 04, he opted for a longer stay in Germany. As per FootballTransfers' algorithm, this decision turned out to be a shrewd one, as his market value has risen to no less than €15m.

Mainz can therefore do excellent business with the acquisition of Van den Berg for €10m less than his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV).

The transfer of Van den Berg to Mainz will also make the cash register ring at PEC again. During the transfer in 2019, a sell-on percentage of 15 per cent was reportedly stipulated. As a result, the club from Overijssel may collect €750,000 this summer. In addition, PEC is also entitled to a training allowance, which amounts to €100,000 for a transfer fee of €5m.

A reunion between Van den Berg and Slot therefore seems to be out of the question. The 45-year-old coach will be in charge of Liverpool next season, succeeding Jürgen Klopp. Slot worked in the youth academy of PEC Zwolle between 2013 and 2014, where Van den Berg also played at the time.

Current ETV

Sepp van den Berg

D (CR), M (R)

Mainz 05

Sepp van den Berg

D (CR), M (R)

Mainz 05

ETV Range

€11.2M - €18.7M

Dutch contingent shrinks

The coach left after one season, while the talented defender went through the youth academy and played a total of 22 matches in the Zwolle team's senior squad. Due to the departure of Van den Berg, Slot sees the Dutch contingent at Liverpool shrink to three players in Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo.

It is not unlikely that Feyenoord's successful coach will strengthen Liverpool's squad with Dutch players. Quinten Timber, among others, has already been tipped as a potential asset and Lutsharel Geertruida and Mats Wieffer have also been associated with the Reds.

According to De Telegraaf, Liverpool also have their sights set on the arrival of Justin Bijlow. The 26-year-old goalkeeper is said to be high on the wish list of the English top club, who also have competition from Arsenal.

On Wednesday, journalist Marcel van der Kraan wrote that Bijlow has been followed by Liverpool 'completely apart from Arne Slot' since last year. According to 1908.nl, however, Feyenoord have not yet been contacted by the English top clubs.