Brentford have successfully fended off Bayer Leverkusen to sign Sepp van den Berg from Liverpool in a deal worth around £25m.
In Arne Slot's first transfer window at Anfield, the emphasis has been primarily on departures rather than new arrivals, with the club yet to make their first signing of the summer.
However, there have been several notable departures so far, with the likes of Fabio Carvalho, Adrian, Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara all exiting the club in the last few months.
Van den Berg was linked with several moves in recent days, especially to the Bundesliga, with Leverkusen, Mainz 05 and Wolfsburg believed to have made enquiries about the 22-year-old's availability.
However, despite the interest from abroad, the Dutch defender is now set to remain in the Premier League for the foreseeable future.
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Brentford confirm Sepp van den Berg signing
Brentford released a statement today confirming that they had secured the signing of the highly-rated centre-back, bringing an end to speculation over his future.
"Brentford has signed Sepp van den Berg from fellow Premier League side Liverpool; the defender has put pen to paper on a five-year contract," the club wrote on their official website.
Thomas Frank added: "Sepp is composed on the ball in the build-up and in the decisive defending actions"
"I'm very pleased that we have managed to sign Sepp. "I think this is a great signing for the club and the team.
"He fits our culture and the way we want to play: he is quick, he reads the game well and is composed on the ball in the build-up and in the decisive defending actions.
"Sepp is a great character, and I am convinced that he will fit in well with the group and help us to push forward."
It is understood that the Bees have agreed to pay £20m upfront for the defender, who has signed a five-year contract, along with an additional £5m in performance-based add-ons.
The centre-back was acquired by the Reds for just £4.4m in 2019 from Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle and made four senior appearances for the club.
![England's Ivan Toney pictured on June 30, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/26/ivan-toney_1.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "England's Ivan Toney pictured on June 30, 2024 [IMAGO]")
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More transfer business needed by Brentford before deadline?
While Brentford have made a few notable signings this summer, they may still need to find a new striker before the transfer window closes, with Ivan Toney's future at the club still heavily in doubt.
The England international has admitted that he wishes to move away from the Gtech Community Stadium this summer but the club are holding firm on their £60m asking price, which has deterred several potential suitors.
Arsenal were heavily linked with a move for the 28-year-old earlier this summer but their interest has now diminished, while Manchester United and Chelsea are believed to be trying to negotiate with the Bees for a lower price.
All the while, Saudi clubs are still firmly in the picture, with Al-Ahli leading the race, and they are reportedly willing to offer the attacker a contract that could see him earn up to 15 times more than he does at Brentford per year.
Toney has made 141 appearances for Brentford since joining them from Peterborough in 2020, and has scored 72 goals and provided 23 assists during his time at the club.
Devesh Jaganath
