Liverpool have defeated Bayern Munich and Ajax to land the young Sepp van den Berg.
Liverpool have won the race to sign the 17-year-old Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle. The teenage centre-back was also gaining adulation from Ajax and Bayern Munich, but chose to sign for the reigning European Champions ahead of a £1.79 million.
The Reds have shaped up their academy in a tremendous manner since the arrival of Jurgen Klopp. The German handed over the debut cap to Trent Alexander-Arnold two years ago, who has gone on to become one of the best full-backs in Europe currently. Caoimhin Kelleher, Curtis Jones, and Adam Lewis are touted to break into the first team soon.
Sepp van den Berg is a valuable addition and could be ranked amongst the likes of Ki-Jana Hoever, who is hanging between the first team and reserves at a young age. The 17-year-old will follow the footsteps of the Champions League winner Virgil Van Dijk, who has gone on to become a fan favourite at Anfield.
The Dutch teenager will become the first signing of the summer transfer window if he passes the medical on Wednesday, according to the Telegraph. Sepp van den Berg has already made 16 top-flight appearances for the club in the Eredivisie, making himself as one of the hottest prospects in the Netherlands currently.
Sampdoria dodged a £2.25 million bid in January which was drastically turned down by Zwolle in the hopes of tying him down to a new long-term contract. However, the Reds have managed to land the teenager for a lesser amount because of his refusal to accept a new contract with the current club, which expires in a year.
Here’s how Twitter has reacted..
Liverpool edge out Ajax and Bayern Munich to seal deal for teenage centre-back Sepp van den Berg | @Matt_Law_DThttps://t.co/5b0b10wwtD
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) June 25, 2019
#LFC hoping to complete the signing of 17-year-old centre back Sepp van den Berg from PEC Zwolle. Face competition from Ajax, PSV and Bayern though. He’d be one for the U23s/Academy to start with, if he were to sign.
Story to follow…
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) June 24, 2019
When Liverpool fans dreamed of signing a teenage Dutch centre-back this summer most will have had aspirations for a big-money move for Matthijs de Ligt but Sepp van den Berg could prove a far more prudent option, writes @CBeesleyEcho https://t.co/3Vu6L7s2ur
— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) June 25, 2019
Liverpool are hopeful of beating a host of Europe’s biggest clubs to the signing of Dutch wonderkid Sepp van den Berg.
The 17-year-old centre-back plays for PEC Zwolle in the Eredivisie.https://t.co/HXGheWS8CW
— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) June 24, 2019
Rumored LFC signing Sepp van den Berg:
-16 Eredivisie games at 17 yrs
-Featured in Football-Oranje’s “top 10 dutch wonderkids 18/19”
-3 U19 caps for Netherlands. 1 goal.
-Comfortable on the ball. Very brave for his age. Solid tackler. Needs to mature a bit and gain some muscle— Maxi (@MaaxiAngelo) June 24, 2019
What’s next?
Liverpool are slowly resurfacing their academy and many youngsters could break into the first-team lineup.