The Northern Echo understands the agreed deal is worth €13m including add-ons, meaning Boro are set to make a huge profit on van den Berg, who they signed two years ago for a fee of £250,000.
Van den Berg made it clear he wanted to leave during the current window and, with the Dutch defender having pushed for a transfer since early in the summer, boss Rob Edwards “didn’t feel it was right” to include the 21-year-old in his matchday squad for the Championship opener against Swansea City on Saturday.
Despite van den Berg’s desire to leave, Boro stood their ground and made it clear to interested clubs they wouldn’t budge on their valuation. Feyenoord had two bids rejected, but van den Berg wanted to move to Germany after learning of FC Koln’s interest.
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Edwards confirmed yesterday that van den Berg was set to be absent from tonight’s squad for the Carabao Cup first round tie against Doncaster Rovers. At that stage, Boro were still in negotiations with Koln.
But a deal has now been agreed, and reports in Germany and the Netherlands claim van den Berg is set to sign a five-year deal at the Bundesliga club.
Edwards admitted yesterday that Boro wanted the matter resolved as quickly as possible, and the Championship club will now press on with their efforts to strengthen the squad in the coming weeks.
Even with van den Berg leaving, Boro are well stocked at centre-half. Boro pursued and signed Alfie Jones knowing van den Berg would almost certainly move on. Edwards also has Dael Fry, George Edmundson, who is now back in training, and Darragh Lenihan, whose most recent injury setback isn’t serious, as well as Neto Borges and Luke Ayling, who the head coach plans to use in the back three rather than as wing-backs.
Signing a striker and a left wing-back are priorities.
On the left wing-back front, Boro are keeping an open mind and assessing several potential options and targets. It’s no secret that Max Arfsten was identified as the leading target, but Columbus Crew rejected Boro’s initial offer and are adamant they don’t want to sell this summer, despite the 24-year-old making clear he’s interested in the move.
Boro have no means given up on Arfsten but obviously have a list of other potential options. Southampton’s Charlie Taylor, who was linked this week, is one player Boro have loosely enquired about, but there isn’t anything more to it than that at this stage.
Boro know signing a striker is another must ahead of the September 1 deadline, but one player who won’t be joining the club this summer is Patrick Bamford, despite fresh rumours circulating on Monday. Boro have no interest in Bamford, who hasn’t been discussed by the recruitment team at Rockliffe this summer.
Boro’s recruitment and coaching team are very much on the same page when it comes to priorities and targets this summer, and the head coach has repeatedly stressed the need for patience.
After promising “more” signings last week, Edwards said: “We want to bring in the right person and someone who really wants to be here and someone who really improves us.
“Sometimes you have to wait a few more weeks to get the right one to land.
“I know it’s frustrating for everyone. It is for us as well because we want it here and now, but it can take a little bit of time.
“We have a good group and by the end of the window I think we’ll be in a stronger position.”
