Richard Hughes’ transfer claim will be tested after Liverpool rejected bid

When Richard Hughes was unveiled as Liverpool’s new sporting director earlier this month, alongside head coach Arne Slot, he predicted “a crescendo” of transfer activity in August. As a quiet July draws to a close, with just two loan deals completed to date, his prediction is about to be put to the test.

With Euro 2024 and the Copa America both looming, along with Slot’s arrival, the Reds were always going to have to be patient as the Dutchman assessed his legacy squad.

But while it’s no surprise that Liverpool have yet to add to their squad this summer, it’s been a busy 48 hours on the transfer front as possible moves for the Reds begin to emerge.

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It emerged on Saturday that Ben Doak has been subject to loan interest from Leicester City and Southampton and could move on temporarily after the club’s pre-season tour of the United States. Meanwhile, news emerged on Sunday that Liverpool had rejected an £11.8m bid from Marseille for Wataru Endo.

And on Monday, another rejected bid emerged as the ECHO reported that PSV Eindhoven had been rebuffed in their initial efforts to sign Sepp van den Berg. An offer of around £10m is considerably below the £20m asking price.

While the moves for Doak and Endo were somewhat out of left field, it would be no surprise if Van den Berg moved on this summer. After all, following an eye-catching loan spell at Mainz 05 last season, he has already admitted he would like to move on.

Such a stance has softened publicly, at least, given that the Dutchman is said to be impressing behind the scenes in pre-season and started the summer in Slot’s starting XI. As a result, although he is still disputing the Reds’ asking price, he has confirmed that he would be happy to stay put if given the chance to play.

“I know in today’s market (high prices) will happen,” Van den Berg said after starting last week’s win over Real Betis. “For the price they want for me, hmmm… Liverpool may think it’s fair because I’ve had a good season, if they want £20-25m, that’s a lot more. I hope we can find a way. Maybe I stay, maybe I go. My first reaction is that it was pretty big. But it’s also a compliment.

“For me, it’s about playing time. If I get it here, there’s no better place to be. Of course, (the price tag) is a compliment. But it makes it difficult. £20 million is mostly high.

“Of course I’m here now. Liverpool is one of the biggest, if not the biggest club in the world. It’s always been my dream. I’m here to show myself that I’m worthy of Liverpool. If he gives me a chance and like, there’s a good chance I’ll stay but it’s still early in the window so we’ll see.

“I talked to (Slot) on my first day. He told me, I have to show myself in the preseason. I had my own visions, I want to play. We’ll see what happens. But I’m happy here. My goal is to play football next year, so we’ll see if it’s here or somewhere else.

“For a centre-back you need the experience of being in the rhythm of playing every game. That’s where I made the biggest steps. In terms of training and the environment here, you can’t get better. But when I was away, I had a played every game and made bigger strides.

“I’m a better player now than when I came in, of course. I was a boy when I came here, 17 years old. I did a year and a half in the Championship, two years in the Bundesliga now, I’ve been around some clubs. I’m still young, but I feel very old. It’s just about playing time and experience.”

However, while Van den Berg started against Betis and is likely to keep his place for the remainder of the US tour, his place in Slot’s pecking order will be further tested. And reading between the lines, it seems he is already aware of such a fact.

Ibrahima Konate will link up with Liverpool’s first team in the United States later this week, while Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez will not return until the Reds return to Merseyside. And their returns could close the door on his desire for regular playing time.

Indeed, the trio’s continued absence is part of the reason why his long-term future remains unresolved, with Mainz sporting director Christian Heidel previously admitting that it contributed to protracted transfer negotiations with Liverpool and a need for patience .

“It’s difficult, I can’t do that,” he told Sky Germany in early July when asked if negotiations could start again. “They were waiting. I was in contact with Liverpool several times.

“When Liverpool start training there won’t be a centre-back there because they are all spread out at the European Championships and the Copa America and then they want to have a look and take their time.

“Sepp has made it clear that he would very much like to stay in Mainz. We would really like to keep him, now Liverpool have to play together too. We give Liverpool time and we take time.”

A month on and the Reds are close to welcoming back their senior centre-backs. Just days after Slot confirmed Konate’s imminent return, news emerged that PSV had tested Liverpool’s resolve for Van den Berg.

While the Eredivisie outfit’s offer was rejected, the 22-year-old’s future is still undecided. Supporters might be focused on incoming transfers, but it’s also about outgoings, with Hughes’ predicted August transfer “crescendo” about to begin.

“It would be a surprise for all of us I think if we don’t bring in any players, so it will probably happen in the end,” Slot admitted after Liverpool’s win over Real Betis. “But for now, we’re just waiting for the players to come back and we’re waiting for the right ones to sign.”

Such reversals will also open the door to possible exits. Van den Berg remains a Reds player for now after having his latest bid rejected, but Liverpool’s future is about to become much clearer as the club’s transfer business heats up.