This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

According to Football Insider, Liverpool are ready to offer Sepp van den Berg a new contract.

What's the story?

The 17-year-old centre-back joined the Reds from Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle during the summer for an initial fee of £1.3m, rising to a potential £4.5m.

Now, it appears that they are already preparing to give him a new deal, with Jurgen Klopp being impressed by his development since making the switch.

Forget Ben White

In recent weeks and months, the Anfield outfit have been linked with a move for Leeds defender Ben White, who is currently on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion. The 22-year-old has impressed in the Championship, being a part of the best defence in the second tier that has conceded just 10 goals.

However, it is being said that the Seagulls value his services at over £20m. Whilst he certainly has talent, as he has been showing during his 19 appearances for the Whites - he has played in every single league match - that is a large fee to pay for someone who is yet to play in the Premier League, with this being his first season in the second division as well.

Not only that, Liverpool do not need to spend that much on a new player when they have a youngster with huge potential in the same position. He may still be just 17, but he has already made two appearances for his new club, both of them in the League Cup, and he is in line to make another when the Merseyside team face Aston Villa in the semi-finals later this month.

Those matches have not been his first taste of professional football, either - he already has 21 appearances to his name in the Eredivisie, with him making his debut as a 16-year-old for his former outfit.

Much harder than you'd think... Can you name Liverpool's top scorers for each of these 25 seasons?

Why spend money on a new signing, and such a hefty fee at that, when you have a player who could do the same job in the not so distant future? In today's day and age, there is often the temptation to part with considerable amounts of money as soon as a decent talent begins to impress.

In regards to White, Liverpool must not be trigger-happy, and should instead look closer to home. This new deal will hopefully see them reconsider their interest in the Elland Road centre-back.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are eyeing this versatile Serie A forward.