Sepp van den Berg has expressed his view that Liverpool's asking price for him is high, although he admits that this valuation reflects positively on his talent and he is ready to battle it out for a spot in Arne Slot's plans.
He said: "I know in today’s market [high prices] will happen. For the price they want for me, hmmm…
"Liverpool may think it is right as I had a good season, if they want £20-£25million that is a lot more. Hopefully we can find a way. Maybe I stay, maybe I go. The first reaction from me is that it was quite high! It is also a compliment. But it makes it difficult, £20m is majorly high."
The Reds are in no rush to sell the centre-back and value him around the £20 million ($25m) mark, with the Dutchman the subject of interest from a slew of clubs across Europe including reigning Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven, Bundesliga sides Wolfsburg and Mainz, where he spent last season on loan.
Newly-promoted Premier League side Southampton have also shown interest in landing his services. The Saints recently splashed £20 million to secure the signature of Taylor Harwood-Bellis from Manchester City, who played a pivotal role in their promotion to the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth is nearing a £15 million deal for Dean Huijsen, who had a fringe role in Serie A with Juventus. Given these deals floating around in the market, Liverpool decision-makers believe their asking price for van den Berg is justified.
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Since joining the Reds from PEC Zwolle in 2019, Van den Berg has only ever made four first-team appearances. He spent two years on loan at Preston in the Championship and another with Schalke and Mainz in the German Bundesliga.
But after a standout season at Mainz, Van den Berg has seen his stock rise multi-folds with several clubs chasing after him. The player insisted that although his future is up in the air he is more than happy to stick around and fight for a place in the side.
The wantaway defender continued: "I spoke with [Slot] on my first day. He said to me I have to show myself in pre-season. I had my own visions, I want to play. We will see what happens. But I am happy here. My goal is to play football next year so we will see if it is here or somewhere else.
"Of course, I am here now. Liverpool is one of the biggest, if not the biggest club in the world. It has always been my dream. I am here to show myself I am Liverpool worthy. If he gives me a chance and likes me, there’s a big chance of me staying.
"But we are still early in the window, we will see. I was a boy when I came here, 17. I have done one and a half years in the Championship, two years in the Bundesliga. I am still young but I feel very old! It’s about game time and experience. If I get it here, there is no better place to be."
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