Transfer News: Preston in talks with Liverpool to sign defensive starlet

Preston North End in talks with Liverpool to sign Sepp van den Berg

According to Liverpool Echo, Preston are in negotiations with Liverpool to sign talented young centre-back Sepp van den Berg. The Dutch starlet has been on loan at Deepdale since the second half of last season.

The 20-year-old Dutchman has impressed on loan at Preston. Although primarily a central defender, van den Berg has mainly played as a wing-back this season in Ryan Lowe’s team.

The Dutch defender has made 58 appearances for the Lancashire based club. There have been calls for the signing to be made permanent considering the form and consistent displays of the player.

Preston manager Lowe revealed last week that the club were in dialogue with Liverpool regarding the defender and reiterated that it depends on where the Dutchman wants to play

“We’re in talks with Liverpool but it’ll be down to Sepp and what he wants to do. I think he’ll want to find a suitable, permanent home, but I would’ve thought if he was at Liverpool next season and looking to go on loan, we’ll be in a good position.”

Where does Sepp’s future lie?

While there is no denying the young centre-back’s talent, the big question is where the 20-year-old’s future lies.

As the player himself admitted a few months ago, albeit his love for Preston, he thinks his future lies somewhere else.

“Of course, I have felt all of the love I’ve gotten ever since I came here and I really appreciate it. You never know, but I reckon after this season that it unfortunately has to come to an end.”

While it’s almost certain that the centre-back would not get game time at Liverpool if he stayed, he could be someone for the future.

Liverpool have a plethora of world-class centre-backs at their disposal in Virgil Van Dijk, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez. With so much quality in their ranks, it’s almost impossible for anyone new to even get a sniff.

For van den Berg to continue his development, he will have to move out of Liverpool either on another loan or on a permanent deal. He might be too good for the Championship next season and maybe a switch to a fellow Premier League club would be beneficial.

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At just 20, Sepp is a kid in centre-back terms and has his entire career in front of him. His story at Preston is hopefully just the beginning of an illustrious career at Liverpool or elsewhere.