Köln paid a reported €8m to sign the Dutch defender from Middlesbrough in the summer of 2025, viewing the then 21-year-old as a centre-back with the potential to develop into a valuable asset. His progress, however, has been interrupted by injuries and suspension, while competition for places has made regular football difficult to find.
Sporting director Thomas Kessler has cautioned against making an immediate decision, but confirmed that the club has a clear point at which it will review the situation.
“So far, things have not developed as we had hoped for either side. But after only a few matchdays, we should not make any hasty decisions. For now, Rav needs to keep working, make himself available in training and take his opportunities,” Kessler told Bild.
That patience may not extend indefinitely. Kessler said Cologne would sit down with the player and his representatives if there were no significant improvement by the winter.
“If his sporting situation has not fundamentally changed by the winter, we will of course sit down together with him and his agency and have an open discussion about which perspective makes the most sense for everyone involved,” he said.
According to Bild, a loan move is one option, while an early permanent transfer has not been ruled out. The immediate challenge for van den Berg is to recover from his latest muscle injury and convince the coaching staff that he merits more playing time.
Köln’s defensive competition has intensified following the arrivals of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey and Luka Lochoshvili. Van den Berg has struggled to move ahead of them, with Joel Schmied also competing for a place in central defence.
Kessler said the increased depth at the back means every player must earn selection through their work on the training ground.
“Of course, the competition in central defence has changed again with the signings of Jahmai and Luka. We now have a high level of quality in that position and the competition that comes with it. That means every individual has to earn their minutes through their performances in training,” he said.
For van den Berg, the next few weeks could determine whether he remains part of Köln’s longer-term plans or whether a move elsewhere becomes the best route to regular football.