Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven wants to complete a move to Liverpool in the summer transfer window, a new report has claimed.
A new centre-back is a must for the Reds, both in terms of adding immediate depth to the squad and ensuring there are great options after Virgil van Dijk has gone.
That hopefully won’t be for a while yet, but the Dutchman needs to be managed more carefully now, with his 35th birthday approaching in the summer.
According to TEAMtalk, boyhood Liverpool fan Van de Ven wants to seal a move to Anfield at the end of the season, amid Spurs’ fight to remain in the Premier League:
“A self-confessed Reds supporter with family connections to the club, Van de Ven would prioritise Anfield above most other destinations. Sources suggest he would choose Liverpool over rivals, including Manchester United, without hesitation if both clubs table formal offers.”
The report also states that Liverpool and FSG are “extremely keen” on the idea of signing Van de Ven, who could cost as much as £77.7m, but potentially as little as £51.8m. His future is “inextricably linked to Spurs’ final league position” this season.
Micky van de Ven a great defender, but are injuries a concern?
There is no denying Van de Ven’s ability as a top-quality defender, with former Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou backing him to shine as a left-back for the Netherlands at this summer’s World Cup:
“He’s top. He could be as good as he wants to. You watch him at the World Cup, I reckon they’ll play him at left back and he’ll be unbelievable. Once he gets going, technically he’s good, his ability to cover ground is phenomenal. You’d set him up against any striker in the world, without any fear that he will get outmuscled and definitely not outrun.”
The only negative against Van de Ven is his slightly injury-prone nature, and Liverpool cannot afford to bring in a player who struggles with availability.
It’s no major issue, even though it would represent a risk, but the positives easily outweigh the negatives with the 25-year-old, who has blistering pace, power and versatility.
