Liverpool continue to show an interest in signing Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven, with a £78m offer now reportedly being eyed up.
The time will come at some point for the Reds to make do without Virgil van Dijk, with the legendary Dutchman out of contract at the end of next season.
He also turns 35 this summer, so it is only natural that his very best days may now be behind him, even though he remains an elite defender.
Liverpool will need to find a magnificent long-term replacement for Van Dijk, and it looks as though a Premier League player is a strong option to come in.
According to a report from Spain, the Reds are weighing up tabling a £78m bid for Spurs ace Van de Ven, with the player himself keen on a fresh challenge away from north London.
Is Van de Ven the natural heir to Virgil van Dijk?
Van den Ven stands out as such a good option for Liverpool, possessing blistering pace and quality on the ball – he has a 93.7% pass completion rate in the Champions League this season – as well as good leadership skills.
The 24-year-old has received praise from many in recent years, including former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who loves him as a player:
“He looks a great signing. What amazed me is during the Euros this year, he couldn’t get into the Dutch team. I was shocked. I thought ‘hang on, how are they that good that he can’t get into the team?’ Surely they will find a place for him somewhere, if you played three at the back, or you could play him at left-back even. He looks a Rolls-Royce, proper player.”
Replacing Van Dijk is bordering on impossible, considering he is one of the greatest centre-backs of all time, so it would be unfair to expect anyone to reach his level.
In Van de Ven, Liverpool would be signing a brilliant player whose best years are still ahead of him, and it is easy to see him thriving at Anfield, having the strength of character and quality to be a key man at the heart of the defence for a long time.