Liverpool and Manchester United have received fresh encouragement that they could still secure the signature of Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven during the upcoming summer transfer window, despite the Reds' recent substantial acquisition.
Jacquet Deal Doesn't Rule Out Van de Ven Move
Liverpool confirmed a significant £60 million agreement with Rennes for young centre-back Jeremy Jacquet on deadline day, a deal that saw them outmanoeuvre competition from Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal. The structured agreement comprises a £55 million upfront payment with an additional £5 million in performance-related add-ons, with the 20-year-old set to join the Anfield squad after completing the current campaign in France.
Despite this major defensive reinforcement, former Tottenham manager and Premier League pundit Tim Sherwood believes Liverpool's pursuit of Dutch international Van de Ven remains very much alive. Speaking in a detailed interview, Sherwood outlined the complex dynamics that could see the highly-rated defender leave North London.
Sherwood's Analysis of the Situation
"Is Micky van de Ven to Liverpool off? All Micky has got to do is to prove his fitness between now and the end of the season but that will make it very difficult for Tottenham," Sherwood stated during his appearance on CasinoStugan.
He elaborated on Van de Ven's unique status at Tottenham, describing him as what he terms a "hierarchy player" – those automatic selections when fully fit that supporters desperately want to see in their team's lineup. "They are the players that fans crave, and Tottenham fans want those top players like Harry Kane. When he was fit, you knew he was playing, and they've only got one of those players at the moment and that's Micky van de Ven. If he's fit, he plays," Sherwood explained.
This special status, according to Sherwood, makes Van de Ven particularly valuable but also vulnerable to transfer speculation, especially given Tottenham's current league position and domestic cup exits.
Manchester United's Interest and Capabilities
Sherwood didn't limit the potential suitors to Liverpool alone, explicitly mentioning Manchester United as another serious contender for Van de Ven's signature. He highlighted the Red Devils' unique advantages in the transfer market.
"United are a club that can go from where they have been to the top quicker than most because they've got the brand power, the money to do it. They can pay the big wages for the big players," Sherwood noted, while also referencing previous transfer missteps. "They missed the boat before. They could have signed Declan Rice and Harry Kane. Instead, they ended up with seven or eight signings who were alright but mostly very poor."
The former Spurs boss suggested United would be determined not to repeat such errors with a player of Van de Ven's calibre, stating "They won't want to miss the boat this time on Van de Ven."
Tottenham's Retention Challenge
Sherwood presented a sobering assessment of Tottenham's chances of keeping their prized defender, suggesting the club faces an uphill battle against player power and broader market forces. "If he proves his fitness, I think there will be a queue around the block for him," he predicted, adding "Hopefully Tottenham can keep hold of him but you know what it's like when a player decides he wants to leave. Unfortunately, if you don't let him go, you're left without the money and the player in the end."
He identified Tottenham's managerial situation as another critical factor, noting "it all depends on who they have as manager in the summer because they've got it wrong so many times before and it looks like they have got it right at the moment."
Ultimately, Sherwood suggested Van de Ven's own assessment of Tottenham's project would be decisive. "I think the only real way they keep hold of him is if Micky [Van de Ven] decides that there might be a bright future ahead at Tottenham, and right now they're down in 14th in the Premier League and out of the running for the two domestic cups. They're flying high in the Champions League but there are stiffer tests to come in that competition."
The analysis presents a compelling case for continued transfer speculation surrounding one of the Premier League's most sought-after defenders, with both Merseyside and Manchester giants positioned as credible destinations should Tottenham fail to convince their star to stay.
