Liverpool Nearing First Sale Under Arne Slot Amidst Club Negotiations

FSV Mainz 05 has reportedly initiated negotiations to secure the permanent signing of Liverpool’s Sepp van den Berg in the upcoming summer transfer window.

At 22, Van den Berg garnered significant attention with his composed performances at the core of Mainz’s defense last season. He maximized his season-long loan, netting three goals in 33 league matches. The right-footed, towering center-back, also comfortable at right-back, started 31 of his 35 appearances for Mainz across all competitions last season, contributing to nine clean sheets for the German side.

Last month, Liverpool reportedly set a £20 million asking price for the former PEC Zwolle player. This decision did not sit well with Van den Berg, who expressed his frustration to De Telegraaf (via The Standard):

“[They] didn’t exude confidence in me all this time, but [they] do want to hinder my future. I want to keep playing every week and develop myself further. In Germany, I enjoyed [Borussia] Dortmund away 70,000 people, Bayern Munich away against Harry Kane, [VfB] Stuttgart, [RB] Leipzig, [Bayer] Leverkusen… against clubs like that I was challenged every week.”

Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg reports that Arne Slot’s team has begun discussions with Mainz to finalize a permanent deal for Van den Berg. Mainz’s management is optimistic about reaching an agreement, and the defender is keen to continue his career at MEWA Arena.

Van den Berg joined Liverpool from PEC Zwolle in 2019 in a deal worth up to £4.4 million, making four appearances for the senior team and featuring in 23 matches for the Reds’ U23 side. He spent 18 productive months on loan at Preston North End, where he scored two goals and provided one assist in 66 games.

In the 2022-23 season, Van den Berg went on loan to Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga, where he scored once in nine appearances before a long-term ankle injury curtailed his season.