Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven has once again found himself at the centre of intense transfer speculation, with Liverpool reportedly reigniting their interest in the Dutch international. This development comes after the Reds missed out on their long-term defensive target, Marc Guehi, who completed a surprise £20 million move to Manchester City earlier this month.
Liverpool's Defensive Reinforcements Become a Priority
With manager Arne Slot keen to bolster his defensive options, Van de Ven has risen significantly up Liverpool's list of potential recruits. The 24-year-old centre-back has impressed since his £43 million transfer from Wolfsburg to Tottenham in 2023, establishing himself as a key figure for both club and country. His performances in the Premier League and for the Netherlands have not gone unnoticed, making him an obvious candidate to strengthen Liverpool's backline.
Van de Ven's Past Admiration for Liverpool Resurfaces
Interestingly, Van de Ven has previously expressed his admiration for Liverpool, comments that are now gaining renewed attention amidst the transfer rumours. Speaking in June 2023, just before his move to Tottenham, he acknowledged Liverpool's past interest, stating to Voetbal International: "It's true that the director (then Liverpool sporting director Jorg Schmadtke previously worked for Wolfsburg) went there and I know that Liverpool followed me before." He added, "Do I think Liverpool is a nice club? Naturally."
Furthermore, the defender once revealed a memorable Boxing Day trip to Anfield, describing it as a "dream" to play there one day. He recounted the experience to Wolfsburger Allgemeine Aller-Zeitung in January 2023, saying: "Liverpool vs Arsenal. That was madness. Then when 'You'll Never Walk Alone' comes [on], that's a goosebump moment... It's a dream to play there."
Tottenham's Struggles and Contract Situation
Van de Ven's future at Tottenham is now under scrutiny as the club languishes in 14th place in the Premier League, facing the prospect of missing out on European competition next season. Despite being under contract until 2029, questions are being raised about whether he might seek a move to a club with more immediate ambitions.
Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has been vocal about the defender's importance to the squad, emphasising his desire to keep him at the club. When asked about potential contract extension talks, Frank stated: "Micky is a key player for this team and this club and hopefully for many years to come. He has what it takes to be an even better player and I've no doubt he can help us to get us to where we want to be in the future."
Frank also highlighted Van de Ven's strong form this season, noting: "I think he has potentially his best season so far he's had. He's fit, he's strong, good defensively, he's growing as a leader, scoring goals as well. He's a very important player for us this season and for the future." When questioned about whether a substantial £100 million offer would tempt Tottenham into a sale, Frank remained firm, replying: "I would say he's very important for us, so Micky is a Tottenham player now and for the future."
The Guehi Factor and Summer Speculation
Liverpool's renewed interest is directly linked to their failure to secure Marc Guehi, who was poised to join the Reds last summer before Crystal Palace scrapped the deal at the last minute. With Guehi now at Manchester City, Liverpool have turned their attention back to Van de Ven, a player they were linked with even during Jurgen Klopp's final campaign as manager.
According to reports from The Daily Mail, Liverpool are preparing to make a move for the highly-regarded centre-back this summer. Losing such a crucial player would undoubtedly deal a significant blow to Tottenham, especially as they look to rebuild and climb the Premier League table under Frank's leadership.
As the transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on whether Liverpool formalise their interest and if Tottenham can resist any potential offers for one of their most valuable assets.
