Liverpool transfers: Van den Berg 'wants to leave' as two clubs declare interest

Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg has got two more clubs who want to sign him this summer as Bundesliga duo Stuttgart and Hoffenheim declare their interest. 

That’s according to Sky Germany reporter Florian Plettenberg, who claims that talks have already taken place between Hoffenheim and the player’s camp. 

Although Stuttgart’s interest is now known, there have been no talks as yet between the two clubs over Van den Berg, he states. 

The German league runners-up lost Hiroki Ito to Bayern Munich and Waledmar Anton to Borussia Dortmund in the off-season and replacements are required. 

Plettenberg also reveals that the Dutchman wants to leave Anfield this summer having been left with the impression that Liverpool have ‘hindered’ his development. 

“TSG Hoffenheim have entered the race for Sepp van den Berg!” the reporter wrote on X formerly Twitter.  

“22 y/o central defender wants to leave Liverpool this transfer window as reported. Talks between Hoffenheim and the player’s side have taken place. 

“No talks with LFC yet. Mainz 05, still there but Liverpool demand €20m now.”

In a further post he revealed: “Sepp van den Berg, he‘s also on the list of VfB but it’s not concrete between Stuttgart and the player/Liverpool at this stage!”

Van den Berg, 22, signed for the Reds from PEC Zwolle back in 2019 for around £1.4 million and has embarked on a series of loans. 

The centre back has been unable to leave a lasting impression at his parent club, instead plying his trade to various degrees of success with Preston North End, Schalke and Mainz. 

It was in Mainz last season where Van den Berg made a big impact, demonstrating form and consistency  in helping the Bundesliga side steer clear of relegation. 

Mainz would like to sign Van den Berg on a permanent basis this summer but have so far been unable to make a deal happen with Liverpool. 

The Reds value the defender at €20m, a price tag that has already been deemed excessive by Dutch champions PSV. 

Van den Berg's pre-season chance

Van den Berg is currently on tour with Arne Slot and his first-team squad in the United States and is reported to have impressed the new head coach during the opening days of pre-season training. 

He will have a slender opportunity to stake a claim for a squad place for the 2024-25 season during the games against Real Betis, Manchester United and Arsenal stateside with Liverpool’s first-choice central defenders not yet back for pre-season. 

Owing to their deep runs in the European Championship, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez are absent from the tour, meaning Slot is light on numbers for training and matches. 

As such, Van den Berg is expected to feature on tour, giving him the chance to showcase his credentials.