Jurgen Klopp has already told Newcastle United what they want to hear about transfer target
Newcastle United would be signing a player with the Jurgen Klopp stamp of approval if they follow up their interest in Brentford defender Sepp van den Berg with a firm bid.
The Magpies have watched the Dutch stopper for several years now, with chief scout Steve Nickson taking in his recent performance against Manchester City, along with winger target Bryan Mbeumo. The 23-year-old moved to Brentford last summer following five years at Liverpool, where he failed to break into the first-team set-up.
The Reds had brought him to the Premier League from Dutch side PEC Zwolle in 2019, with the then 17-year-old impressing Jurgen Klopp with his physique, even at a young age. He had spells on loan at Preston North End and with German sides Schalke and Mainz, before bringing him time at Anfield to a close last summer.
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However, he has stood out for Brentford under Thomas Frank, with Newcastle having monitored his progress for some time. As we reported this morning, a summer move could be on the cards for United, as they assesses their central defensive options. And while it didn't work out at Liverpool, Klopp's comments on his arrival in England tell us all you need to know about what he saw in the defender.
“My god are you tall!" Klopp had said as he greeted the Dutchman following his 2019 transfer. "That’s impressive, it’s different when you see you in images,”
Taking a more reflective overview, Klopp outline what it was that caught the eye, saying: "With Sepp, he’s just an outstanding talent. He has to adjust to a proper physical pre-season, which is hard for him so we help him and do the right things for his development.
"He’s a nice fella and a good footballer, but we knew that before, which is why we signed him. But I’d only seen videos of him so it surprised me when he stood in front of me and was taller than me - that doesn’t happen too often in my life.
“Especially when they are 17 years old and still growing! He’s a wonderful boy and he decided to join us, which is good. It’s a not a long-term project where the boy has to think he has to wait five years to play for us, but it’s not for this moment."
