Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen enter race to sign Liverpool star - Reports

Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen want to bolster their defense by signing Liverpool youngster Sepp van den Berg this summer. The Dutch centre-back is wanted by a number of sides around Europe after impressing on loan in the 2023-24 season.

Van den Berg, 22, spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Bundesliga club Mainz, scoring three times in 33 league appearances. The defender helped his side keep eight clean sheets in the league as they finished in 13th place.

Liverpool are reportedly open to selling Van den Berg this summer and have slapped a £20 million price tag on the 22-year-old. According to De Telegraaf, Bayer Leverkusen have become aware of the terms of a transfer and are prepared to commence talks with the Reds.

Xabi Alonso's side are in need of defensive reinforcement as Germany international Jonathan Tah is reportedly keen on joining Bayern Munich. Die Werkself were interested in Spanish youngster Rafa Marin, but he joined Serie A side Napoli earlier this summer.

Van den Berg is a composed front-footed defender whose education at Liverpool and experience in the Bundesliga make him ideally suited for the German champions. The youngster was tipped to take up a spot in the Reds' squad this season, but Arne Slot seems to think otherwise.

Liverpool lost Joel Matip this summer after his contract expired, but they are not actively looking to make any signings in central defense. The Reds will trust youngster Jarrel Quansah with a first-team spot after his impressive debut season in 2023-24.

Liverpool youngster set to team up with former coach with summer transfer - Reports

According to the BBC, Liverpool youngster Bobby Clark has agreed a permanent transfer to Austrian Bundesliga outfit RB Salzburg. The 19-year-old midfielder will be reunited with Pep Lijnders at the club. Lijnders, Jürgen Klopp's former assistant, was appointed as their manager earlier this summer.

Salzburg will pay around £10 million for the 19-year-old midfielder, with the Reds inserting a 17.5% sell-on clause in his contract with the Austrian side. The youngster has been at Liverpool for three years, having joined from Newcastle United, where his father, Lee Clark, played.

Bobby Clark made his senior debut for the Reds in August 2022 when they thrashed Bournemouth 9-0 in the Premier League. He also made an appearance off the bench when they defeated Chelsea 1-0 in the final at Wembley to win the 2023-24 Carabao Cup.