SAINTS have been named among a trio of clubs reportedly interested in Liverpool defender Sepp van den Berg. 

The 22 year old Dutchman has had a strong season on loan with Bundesliga side Mainz, where he made 33 appearances.

Centre-back van den Berg has played four times for Liverpool's first team but has since been on loan at Preston and Schalke.

The Athletic report that newly promoted Saints, Brentford and Wolfsburg are among those interested in signing ven den Berg.

Mainz do not have an option to buy clause on ven den Berg, who - as the report details - is valued at around £20million by the Reds.

They add that a decision on his future is not likely to be made until new boss Arne Slot has assessed him during pre-season.

Standing at six-foot three-inches tall, the PEC Zwolle academy graduate has already racked up around 140 senior appearances.

Saints could be in the market for a central defender this summer with Jan Bednarek, Jack Stephens and Taylor Harwood-Bellis on the books.

Armel Bella-Kotchap is also set to return from his loan spell at PSV but his long-term future at St Mary's is unknown.

Saints were also recently linked to experienced defender Joel Matip, who is departing Anfield on a free transfer this summer.