According to The Athletic, a number of Championship clubs are now queuing up to sign Sepp van den Berg on loan from Liverpool.
It’s claimed that one of the teams interested is a side currently battling for promotion to the Premier League, which is a real dent to North End’s hopes of keeping van den Berg at Deepdale.
Preston do have an upper hand though. When North End struck the deal to bring in Van den Berg on loan, they agreed to have first refusal on an extension if the Dutchman made a certain number of appearances.
Given that Van den Berg is starting every game, you have to imagine that Preston are on the road to activating that agreement.
Liverpool are claimed to be ‘over the moon’ with Van den Berg’s progress at Preston, and they would surely love to see him playing regularly at Deepdale again next season.
Sending him elsewhere risks Van den Berg failing to settle or make an impact, whereas he is already starring and has adjusted quickly.
Van den Berg, 19, has been welcome surprise for North End. Despite being a centre back by trade, he has been impressing at right back and even right wing back.
With 11 Championship starts under his belt, Van den Berg is developing his game brilliantly at Preston, and North End will hope to fend off rival interest and bring him back for next season.