iMac reinstallation: 'Could not create a preboot volume'

My iMac (6 years old, bought in 2019) kept getting stuck during startup (with the Apple logo and a half-filled progress bar on the screen), so I deleted the hard drive and wanted to re-install the operating system. However, this failed because the reboot did not work – error message: ‘Could not create a preboot volume for APFS install’. When going into the recovery system, I get offered macOS Sequoia to be re-installed, which should be compartible with the iMac (I think) - or should I try an older system first? If yes, how can I do this? Or should I try an external disk for prebooting? If yes, how can I do this? Sorry, I don't know much about this stuff...

Cheers, Janet