Arne Slot could see his first transfer as Liverpool manager confirmed soon.
The summer transfer window for Premier League clubs will close on the evening of August 30th. Between now and then, Liverpool will have to decide whether or not they will make a summer signing. The club have been close to inking that first deal, but as we close in on the window deadline, the Reds are still the only Premier League club without an incoming transfer.
This week's top transfer news looks at a bidding war between two clubs willing to meet Liverpool's valuation on a defender and potentially the club's first signing.
Liverpool defender to make transfer decision and Slot closes in on his first signing
Sepp van den Berg to choose between Brentford and Bayer Leverkusen
As David Ornstein of The Athletic first reported, Liverpool feels that they are close to selling Dutch centre-back Sepp van den Berg and will receive their wanted £20m transfer fee. Ornstein states that Brentford are seen as the most likely destination given their interest, but reports elsewhere suggest a bidding war.
According to Fabrizio Romano, heightened interest in the 22-year-old has seen two offers of £25m, with add-ons included, accepted by Liverpool from Brentford and Bayer Leverkusen. It is now up to van den Berg to agree to personal terms with the club of his choosing. The expectation is that he will have conversations with both Leverkusen boss and Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso and Brentford's Thomas Frank.
Liverpool have stood firm in their valuation of van den Berg, previously rejecting multiple low-ball bids this summer. Given Sepp van den Berg's unlikely chances of securing regular starts this season under Arne Slot, it was likely time for both parties to move on.
Liverpool could secure Arne Slot's first signing this week
Various reports in Spain have been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano that Liverpool expects to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili this summer, ahead of a loan move back to Valencia. One of the original proposals floated around was that Liverpool would reach a pre-agreement with Valencia before the Georgian keeper joined Bournemouth on loan from the Spanish side.
That clearly is not on the table anymore, so Liverpool can sign the player this summer before loaning him out. There have not been concrete reports on the final fee, although some suggest it will be in excess of £30m.
Giorgi Mamardashvili was a standout performer for his country, Georgia, in this year's European Championship, which was hosted in Germany.