Middlesbrough's talented young defender, Rav van den Berg, is reportedly on the verge of a transfer to Dutch giants Feyenoord, with the Eredivisie club poised to make an opening bid within hours. The 21-year-old Dutch centre-back, who has been a standout performer for Boro since joining from PEC Zwolle in 2023, has attracted significant interest from top European clubs, and this move could mark a significant step in his promising career.
A Rising Star at Middlesbrough
Rav van den Berg arrived at Middlesbrough in July 2023, turning down offers from some of Europe’s elite clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Ajax, and Juventus, to secure regular first-team football in the Championship. The decision paid off handsomely, as the young defender quickly established himself as a key figure in Michael Carrick’s squad. In his debut season, Van den Berg’s versatility across the backline and composure on the ball earned him Middlesbrough’s Player of the Year award, despite being just 19 years old at the time. His partnership with Matt Clarke was instrumental in Boro’s strong finish to the 2023/24 season, where they lost just one of their final 12 Championship matches.
🚨🇳🇱 #Feyenoord hoopt op de komst van Rav van den Berg! De verdediger moet overkomen van Middlesbrough FC, waar hij tot medio 2027 onder contract staat.
— Feyenoord Transfermarkt (@FeyenoordTM) July 20, 2025
💷 ‘Boro’ ontvangt binnen 12 uur een openingsbod van de Rotterdammers om de international van Oranje U21 naar De Kuip te halen. pic.twitter.com/2hNvVjX4th
Feyenoord’s Defensive Crisis Sparks Interest
Feyenoord’s pursuit of Van den Berg comes amid a defensive crisis at the Rotterdam club. With Dávid Hancko’s departure, a serious injury to Thomas Beelen, and veteran Gernot Trauner’s fitness concerns, Feyenoord are in urgent need of reinforcements at centre-back ahead of their Champions League qualifying campaign. The club is set to submit an opening bid for Van den Berg within 12 hours, with the aim of securing a swift deal.
The move is seen as a strategic fit for both parties. For Feyenoord, Van den Berg represents a long-term investment in a player who has already proven himself in a competitive league and has experience in the Eredivisie with PEC Zwolle, where he made 11 appearances as a teenager. For Van den Berg, a return to the Netherlands with a club competing in the Champions League could accelerate his development and provide a platform to showcase his talents on a bigger stage.
