Sepp van den Berg Brentford transfer talks started only after Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen pulled out due to his £20m+ price tag — and now, the Dutch defender admits the move wasn’t his first choice.
The former Liverpool man has spoken candidly to Voetbal Zone about the saga that led him to Brentford last summer. After struggling to break through at Anfield, Van den Berg was open to a move — but shocked at how quickly clubs pulled out when they learned the price.
Leverkusen Talks Were Advanced – Until Price Became the Problem
“There was a lot of interest. I had conversations with many clubs. Half of them dropped out when they heard my price tag,”
— Sepp van den Berg
Bayer Leverkusen, led by Xabi Alonso, made contact and showed real interest. But Liverpool’s €23.6m (£20m) asking price proved too much for the Bundesliga champions. Only Premier League clubs were willing to go near that valuation.
“It was actually between Leverkusen and Brentford,” Van den Berg said. “They [Brentford] wanted to get on with it right away.”`
The 23-year-old also revealed he spoke to PSV Eindhoven boss Peter Bosz — but ruled out a return to the Eredivisie, saying he’s moved past Dutch football for good.
Brentford’s €23.6m Gamble
The Bees were the only club to meet Liverpool’s demands, sealing the deal with urgency as they saw other options closing in. Van den Berg played a crucial role in his debut season and is now seen as a key part of Brentford’s long-term defensive rebuild.
| Van den Berg 23/24 (Brentford) | Stat |
|---|---|
| Premier League Appearances | 27 |
| Minutes Played | 2,211 |
| Clearances Per Match | 4.3 |
| Pass Accuracy | 87% |
| Tackles Per Match | 1.8 |
Analyst Verdict
Despite Sepp van den Berg’s strong debut at Brentford, it’s clear he saw Leverkusen as the more prestigious move. But Liverpool’s inflated asking price boxed him in. Brentford swooped not just because of belief in his talent — but because no one else could pay. His quotes hint at ambition beyond the Bees, and unless Brentford break into Europe soon, they may struggle to keep him long-term.
Key Insights
- Sepp van den Berg Brentford transfer cost £20m+
- Bayer Leverkusen couldn’t match Liverpool's valuation
- Defender ruled out Eredivisie return permanently
- Brentford acted fast to seal the deal
What’s Next?
Van den Berg is now settled at Brentford — but with strong Bundesliga interest still lingering, could the Bees face another fight to keep him next summer?
Was Van den Berg the right signing for Brentford at £20m? Should Leverkusen have paid up? Let us know what you think!
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