- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Middlesbrough defender Rav van den Berg is attracting Premier League interest ahead of the summer transfer window.
HITC Football understands a number of Premier League clubs are looking closely at Middlesbrough’s highly-rated young defender Rav van den Berg.
19-year-old van den Berg has impressed hugely since arriving at The Riverside from PEC Zwolle, featuring in central defence and full-back.
The teenager has attracted interest from the likes of Ajax, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund in the past, before joining Boro.
The brother of Liverpool’s Sepp has been quick to establish himself as one of the best young prospects in the Championship and was recently handed the captain’s armband by boss Michael Carrick.
Now, HITC can reveal that Boro’s resolve to keep Van den Berg long-term could be tested with a number of Premier League clubs tracking him.
We understand Bournemouth, Brentford, Brighton and Hove Albion, Crystal Palace, Everton and West Ham United are amongst the clubs who have watched him in recent months.
Who is Rav van den Berg?
Van den Berg hails from Zwolle and came up in the youth ranks of hometown club PEC Zwolle.
The 6ft 3in defender was handed a first-team debut at the age of just 16, going on to make 32 senior appearances for the club.
Boro pounced last summer, allowing Van den Berg to follow in the footsteps of his brother Sepp.
Sepp left Zwolle for Liverpool in 2019 and remains highly rated at Anfield after loans with Preston North End, Schalke and Mainz.
Everton’s interest in Rav means that he could end up on Merseyside too – though whether Sepp has a Liverpool future is unclear.
Boro talent Van den Berg, aged just 19, has been hailed as ‘terrific’ by Carrick and certainly has bags of potential.
Middlesbrough now sit 13 points off the Championship play-offs after a disappointing season.
Boro are unlikely to have Premier League football next season but Van den Berg may yet make the jump to the top flight with another club.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
