Liverpool star named club's 'dream' transfer target as deal rests on vital condition

Mainz 05 sporting director Christian Heidel is hopeful Sepp van den Berg will push for a return to the Bundesliga outfit. The Dutch defender spent the 2023/24 season on loan at MEWA Arena.

The 22-year-old, though, looks set to begin the new season with Liverpool at Portman Road on Saturday afternoon as no club is yet to meet the Reds' asking price of £20m, with Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven and Wolfsburg also interested in Van den Berg. In the absence of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate, Van den Berg impressed in pre-season under Liverpool's new head coach Arne Slot.

But that hasn't stopped Mainz from eyeing a move to bring the Dutchman back to the Bundesliga this season as sporting director Heidel insisted it would be the "perfect club" for the former PEC Zwolle teenager to continue his development. In a statement obtained by Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg, Heidel said: "We are a bit dependent on FC Liverpool. I know that he would very much like to return to Mainz. Perhaps the player's voice will play a role in Liverpool's decision.

"Of course, it is Liverpool’s legitimate right to put a price tag on the player. But then there has to be a club willing to pay that price, and the player has to want to go there.

"As of today, that’s not the case, which is why we still have a chance. If Liverpool loans him out for another year, then we are the perfect club. Sepp would confirm that as well. We are waiting a bit longer and preparing ourselves in case it doesn’t work out."

Van den Berg, who is contracted at Anfield until 2026, made 33 Bundesliga appearances for Mainz last season as he helped Bo Henriksen's side avoid relegation with an impressive 13th-place finish. Speaking to the media, including the ECHO, during Liverpool's tour of the United States earlier this month, Van den Berg said of his price tag: "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! But it is also a compliment.

"For me, it is about playing time. If I get it here, there is no better place to be. Of course, [the price tag] is a compliment. But it makes it difficult. £20m is majorly high.

"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 so we will see."