Brentford could sign a second Liverpool player despite competition with Xabi Alonso

Brentford are hopeful of signing Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg in a deal worth more than £20million, talkSPORT understands.

Van den Berg has been given permission to discuss personal terms with both the Bees and the German champions. Bayer Leverkusen.

Anfield sources expect the centre-back to choose Brentford.

Liverpool rejected an offer from Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven for the 22-year-old earlier this summer for what was understood to be worth £10m.

The defender has attracted the attention of a host of clubs, with potential suitors in Germany and the Premier League in the form of newly promoted Southampton.

Bundesliga club Mainz had hoped to bring him back to Germany, where he spent last season on loan, while rivals Wolfsburg have also expressed interest.

Champions Bay Leverkusen have offered the most concrete interest in the Bundesliga, with the former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso Impressed by the Dutchman's skills.

But the lure of the Champions League might not be enough to make Van den Berg turn down the chance to play regularly in the Premier League with the Bees.

The defender is expected to make a decision on his next destination imminently and Liverpool are set to make a huge profit after paying PEV Zwolle just £4.4m for his services in 2019.

The club maintained that he would not leave the club for a minimal fee, although the Dutchman disagreed with what he perceived as a high valuation.

“I know that in the current market there will be transfers with very high prices,” said Van den Berg during Liverpool's pre-season tour of the United States.

“For the price they want for me, Liverpool might think it's fair because I had a good season, if they want £20-£25m, that's a lot more. Hopefully we can find a way. Maybe I'll stay, maybe I'll go. The first reaction from me was that it was quite high, but it's also a compliment.

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“For me, it's all about playing time. If I get him here, there's no better place to be. Of course, (the price) is a compliment, but it makes it difficult. £20m is very high.

“Of course, I'm already here. Liverpool is one of the biggest clubs in the world, if not the biggest. It's always been my dream. I'm here to prove that I'm worthy of Liverpool. If he gives me a chance and he likes me, there's a good chance I'll stay. But we're still in the early stages of the transfer market, so we'll see.

“I spoke to Slot on the first day. He told me I had to prove myself in pre-season. I had my own visions, I wanted 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.”

Van den Berg has barely featured for the Reds since his arrival five years ago, having registered just four appearances for the club's first team.

All four matches were played in domestic cup competitions during the COVID-affected 2019/20 campaign, with three games played in the EFL Cup and one in the FA Cup.

The defender made 35 appearances for Mainz last season, scoring three times as the Germans finished 13th.