Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg has been generating significant interest, with his loan club, Mainz, eager to secure a deal. However, the process has been delayed, and Mainz’s transfer chief shed light on the reasons behind the delay.
According to reliable sources, van den Berg is currently valued at £20 million, and this valuation has attracted attention from Brentford, Southampton, and Jurgen Klopp’s former club, Mainz.
The young Dutch defender has not had the opportunity to showcase his abilities for Liverpool since 2020. In a recent interview with De Telegraaf, he expressed his frustration, stating that the club has not shown confidence in him but still wants to hinder his future.
Mainz’s sporting director, Christian Heidel, provided a brief update on van den Berg’s situation in a conversation with Sky Deutschland. He explained that the delay is influenced by Liverpool’s internationals, who are currently participating in the European Championships and Copa America. Once these tournaments conclude, Liverpool plans to assess van den Berg’s situation thoroughly.
Liverpool’s senior center-back ranks will be significantly depleted at the start of pre-season training due to the absence of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. As a result, the club is keen for van den Berg to return before making a final decision on his future. Arne Slot, the new manager, wants to evaluate as many players as possible early on.
While it is expected that van den Berg will leave Liverpool, the timing of any deal will be at the club’s discretion. Despite the player’s desire to stay in Mainz, Heidel emphasized that Liverpool also needs to cooperate in the process. Both Mainz and Liverpool are willing to be patient and give each other the necessary time.
Van den Berg has spent the past three seasons on loan, initially with Preston in the Championship before moving to Germany with Schalke and subsequently joining Mainz in the 2023/24 season.
In conclusion, the future of Sepp van den Berg remains uncertain as Liverpool and Mainz navigate the complexities of his potential transfer. The involvement of Liverpool’s internationals and the need for a thorough evaluation of the player’s abilities contribute to the delay. Both clubs are willing to work together to reach a favorable resolution, but the final decision on van den Berg’s future lies in Liverpool’s hands.