Liverpool nearing sale of £20m defender amid Brentford & Bayer Leverkusen interest | OneFootball

Sepp van den Berg is closing in on a permanent transfer away from Liverpool, according to multiple reports, with Brentford and Bayer Leverkusen vying for his signature.

The Reds have endured a quiet summer transfer window to this point, with zero new players coming in through the Anfield doors and only a few major outgoings to note.

One of those players sold was Fabio Carvalho to Brentford for £27.5m, and reports claim he could be joined in west London by former Liverpool teammate Van den Berg.

The Athletic were first to report that the Bees are 'strongly considering' the Dutchman in their search for defensive reinforcements. The Times later added that Brentford 'hope' to beat German champions Leverkusen to him and believe they have an edge.

Brentford conceded 19 more goals during the 2023/24 Premier League campaign than the year prior, dropping from ninth to 16th in the standings. They have also been heavily linked with Burnley's Dara O'Shea.

Thomas Frank is keen on a new defender / Bryn Lennon/GettyImages

Leverkusen, meanwhile, are strengthening their squad ahead of their return to the UEFA Champions League as well as the defence of their first-ever Bundesliga title.

Liverpool are looking to sell Van den Berg for at least £20m having signed him for an initial £1.3m back in 2019. Earlier this summer, he hit out at the club for setting such a high asking price amid interest from Bundesliga side Mainz, where he spent the 2023/24 season on loan.

"You have not radiated confidence in me all this time, but you do want to hinder my future," the 22-year-old said. "I want to continue playing every week and further develop myself."

Van den Berg has never made a Premier League appearance for Liverpool, with all four of his games for the club coming in cup competitions.