Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg is 'set to join’ newly promoted Bournemouth on loan for the 2022/23 season, according to journalist Hannah Perkins.
Van den Berg joined the Reds from PEC Zwolle back in 2019 for a fee of £1.3 million, which could rise to £4.4 million with potential add-ons.
After making four first team appearances in his first campaign on Merseyside, the 20-year-old centre-back has spent the last two seasons on loan at Championship side Preston North End, where he has racked up 66 senior appearances, scoring twice.
The defender is now back with the club for pre-season, but another loan appears to be on the cards.
Advert
According to Perkins, Van den Berg is closing in on a loan switch to Bournemouth, where he’ll spend the duration of the upcoming season.
She tweeted: “Sepp van den Berg is set to join Bournemouth on a season-long loan from Liverpool."
"The two clubs remain in talks but AFCB in pole position to land the defender.”
Still just 20, it’s likely that Van den Berg is still far off being able to play regularly at the top level for a club the size of Liverpool. Another loan is probably required for his development, and making the step up from the Championship to the Premier League will be pivotal for the player.
With Virgil Van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez currently at the club, breaking into the starting centre-back role may be difficult at this present time for the youngster.
This also applies to Nat Phillips, who spent last season on loan at the Cherries, in Scott Parker’s promotion campaign.
Phillips is also expected to depart the North West this summer, whether permanently or on a temporary basis.
He's been linked with a return to the South coast.
Topics: Liverpool, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Bournemouth
Alfie Culshaw