Liverpool open negotiations for Arne Slot's first transfer

Tom Weber

Updated: 7 Jun 2024 16:42 BST
3 min read

Liverpool are officially negotiating with FSV Mainz 05 over a transfer for Sepp van den Berg, Sky Sport reports.

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The 22-year-old defender was already loaned to the German club last season and the Bundesliga side are keen to continue with him. The 22-year-old Dutchman is also happy in Mainz and would like to extend his stay.

Earlier this week, it became clear that Van den Berg had handed in a transfer request at Liverpool. However, the centre-back was still waiting for the green light from the club, where Arne Slot recently became head coach.

Now, he seems to have received that: according to Florian Plettenberg, policymakers at Mainz are hopeful that an agreement can be reached.

Van den Berg a wanted man

Plettenberg previously wrote that several Premier League and Bundesliga clubs, including Mainz, had already inquired about Van den Berg, who is still under contract at Anfield until 2026.

Last season, Van den Berg played 2,940 minutes across 36 matches, scoring three times. He was previously loaned out to Preston North End and Schalke 04.

Despite the fact that Van den Berg never broke through at the English top club, Liverpool still want to make a significant profit on the defender. The Reds have an asking price of €15 million.

In the summer of 2019, the defender came over from PEC Zwolle for just under €2m. It was previously suggested that Liverpool wanted to receive as much as €23m.

Ajax also have an interest in Van den Berg. The Eredivisie giants were previously interested in the arrival of the former PEC Zwolle player both last winter and last summer. Both times, however, the Amsterdammers failed to land him.