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 German champions Bayer Leverkusen.
Anfield sources expect the centre-back to choose Brentford.
Liverpool rebuffed an offer from Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven for the 22-year-old earlier this summer in what was understood to be worth £10m.
The defender has attracted attention from a host of clubs, with potential suitors in Germany and the Premier League in the form of newly-promoted Southampton.
Bundesliga side Mainz hoped to bring him back to Germany where he spent last season on loan, while rivals Wolfsburg also showed their interest.
Champions Bayer Leverkusen have offered the most concrete interest from the Bundesliga, with former Liverpool ace Xabi Alonso impressed by the Dutchman’s skillset.
But the lure of Champions League football might not be enough for Van den Berg to turn down a shot at regular Premier League football with the Bees.
The defender is expected to make an imminent decision on his next destination with Liverpool set to net a hefty profit after paying PEV Zwolle just £4.4m for his services in 2019.
The club maintained he would not leave the club for a minimal fee although the Dutchman disagreed with what he perceived to be a high valuation.
“I know in today’s market high transfer fees will happen,” Van den Berg said during Liverpool’s pre-season tour of the United States.
“For the price they want for me, Liverpool may think it is right as I had a good season, if they want £20-£25m, that is a lot more. Hopefully we can find a way. Maybe I stay, maybe I go. The first reaction from me is that it was quite high! But it is also a compliment.
“For me, it is about playing time. If I get it here, there is no better place to be. Of course, [the price tag] is a compliment. But it makes it difficult. £20m is majorly high.
“Of course, I am here now. Liverpool is one of the biggest, if not the biggest club in the world. It has always been my dream. I am here to show myself I am Liverpool worthy. If he gives me a chance and likes me, there’s a big chance of me staying. But we are still early in the window so we will see.
“I spoke with [Slot] on my first day. He said to me, I have to show myself in pre-season. I had my own visions, I want to play. We will see what happens. But I am happy here. My goal is to play football next year so we will see if it is here or somewhere else.”
Van den Berg has hardly featured for the Reds since his arrival five years ago, having clocked up just four senior appearances for the club.
All four matches came 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 term, scoring three times as Germans registered a 13th-placed finish.
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