Arne Slot already faces first Liverpool falling-out with Dutch star

Imre Himmelbauer

Updated: 17 Jun 2024 15:12 BST
3 min read

The negotiations over the transfer of Sepp van den Berg to 1. FSV Mainz 05 are at an impasse, according to German media.

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The Bundesliga club loaned the defender from Liverpool last season and would now like to sign him permanently. However, at Anfield, they do not seem to be giving any priority to the departure of the 22-year-old Dutchman.

BILD claims that 'there is simply no progress' in Mainz's negotiations with Liverpool to buy Van den Berg. In fact, the report states that 'everything has come to a standstill' because of the English top club.

Richard Hughes has recently been appointed as the club's new sporting director and Van den Berg does not appear to be at the top of his priority list. “New sporting director Richard Hughes has more important things than a player who played on loan in Germany – I'm not even sure he knows Sepp van den Berg,” a source told BILD.

The defender is still under contract with Liverpool until the summer of 2026. He currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €15.1 million.

Van den Berg pushing for move

The Dutchman recently revealed in De Telegraaf that he wants to leave Liverpool. Arne Slot, who was recently appointed as head coach, would like to see him work in pre-season, but Van den Berg has no interest in that.

"You have not radiated confidence in me all this time," the player thundered, "but you do want to hinder my future. I want to continue playing every week and further develop myself.”

Van den Berg was also linked with the likes of Ajax last summer but opted for Mainz. "Of course, clubs like Ajax, PSV, Feyenoord and even AZ are nice, but I like abroad better because the level is higher," the stopper explained his choice to Voetbalnieuws.

"Nothing against the Eredivisie, but the overall level in Germany is higher and that is why I do it. I prefer to play with Mainz against Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig and so on."