Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg has had a “phone call” with Xabi Alonso over a move to Bayer Leverkusen this summer, according to Sky Sport journalist Florian Plettenberg.
The Dutchman arrived at Anfield as a highly-rated teenage centre-back back in 2019, joining from PEC Zwolle and looking to become a future star at the club.
Things haven’t panned out that way for Van den Berg, however, with the 22-year-old not playing for Liverpool in a competitive game since 2020.
Instead, he has been loaned out to various clubs in recent years, including Preston North End, Schalke and Mainz, and it looks as though a permanent move away could now be on the cards this summer.
That’s according to Plettenberg on X, who revealed that a switch to Leverkusen appears most likely, following a chat with Alonso and “concrete negotiations” with Liverpool:
“In the past few days there was a phone call between Xabi Alonso and Sepp van den Berg. Personal terms with SvdB are not an issue. Concrete negotiations with LFC have taken place as revealed yesterday. Liverpool willing to agree: £20m + £5m add-ons.
“At this stage too expensive for Leverkusen and Bayer 04 only considering to sign the 22 y/o in the event that another defender leaves the club until Deadline Day. Stuttgart was also pushing for him until Tuesday. He was their plan A. Now out of the race. @BrentfordFC, 100 % there and willing to pay 20+5 and now waiting for the player‘s decision.”
Our thoughts on Van den Berg leaving Liverpool…
While some may like the idea of Van den Berg staying put at Liverpool beyond the current transfer window, especially if Joe Gomez leaves, this feels like the right time to move him on.
Arne Slot doesn’t appear to have big plans for him, as was the case with Jurgen Klopp, and the Reds can receive good money for someone who hasn’t even played for them for four years.
Granted, Van den Berg remains a young defender who could reach a high level – former Liverpool youth team player Joe Rafferty described him as a “beast” during their time together at Preston – but enjoying a new challenge feels like the best outcome for all parties.
That being said, if Gomez does depart in the next few weeks, and Van den Berg is sold as well, another centre-back must come in to fill the void.
