In truth, Liverpool’s asking price always seemed to be a little on the expensive side.
And as the final month of the transfer window begins, there is still barely even a glint of light at the end of the tunnel for one of the players stuck in limbo at Anfield.
It is five years now since Liverpool snapped up a teenage centre-half by the name of Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle in his native Netherlands. Flash forward to 2024, however, and Van den Berg’s wait for a Premier League debut goes on.
Of course, that wait could soon come to an end if the Dutchman opts to stay and fight for his place under compatriot Arne Slot.
But despite a stellar season on loan at Mainz 05, Van den Berg is still expected to begin the new campaign behind Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Jarrell Quansah and Joe Gomez in Slot’s pecking order.
Back in June, Mainz’s sporting director Christian Heidel claimed to have heard that Van den Berg would ‘definitely’ be up for extending his stay at the MEWA Arena.
Two months on, Heidel remains confident regarding the defender’s stance.
When it comes to the transfer fee, however, the Mainz chief is a little less positive with Liverpool holding out for an eye-watering fee in excess of £20 million for a player who has featured in only four competitive games for the Merseyside giants.
Liverpool demand big fee for Sepp Van den Berg
“We would like him to stay and Sepp would also really like to do it,” Heidel says, via Sky Germany. “But we also respect that Liverpool have not decided about it yet.
“We will not buy a player for over £20 million, which is what Liverpool want. Our club cannot do that.”
Mainz looked doomed to relegation when they were hammered 8-1 by Bayern Munich in the spring. But, thanks in part of the excellence of a ‘machine’-like Van den Berg, a nine-match unbeaten run to end the campaign secured the most unlikely of escapes.
Mainz’s current record signing, however, stands at just £7 million. Around three times less than the fee Liverpool want.
Van den Berg, meanwhile, has admitted on numerous occasions in recent times that he would look to bring an end to his association with The Reds if first-team opportunities could not be guaranteed.
The former Preston North End and Schalke loanee is also keen to continue playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues. He has ruled out a move to even one of the Eredivisie’s big three of Ajax, Feyenoord or champions PSV Eindhoven.
Arne Slot has a decision to make on fellow Dutchman
“I’m still a Liverpool player. I enjoy it here, really,” Van den Berg told BBC Sport after starting last Friday’s 1-0 friendly win over Real Betis, Slot’s first victory since replacing Jurgen Klopp. “It’s a new era, under a new coach, I really like the style of play.
“For me, it’s about game-time and I am getting it at the minute. For me, the most important thing is playing. If I can do it here, there is no better place, to be here is my dream.”
Van den Berg would go on to admit, however, that his immediate future will rest on where he stands in Slot’s plans ahead of the new Premier League campaign.
“I spoke to him in the first day (of pre-season). He gave his opinion and I gave mine,” Van den Berg adds.
“It was nice to speak directly and be open on both sides. I will show myself in the games and training and we will hopefully be honest and then we will see what happens.”
“If I am not good enough, I won’t play. I just have to prove myself and show myself so I can do it.”