Liverpool are being linked with a move to sign Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven but have now been warned just how expensive an undertaking his signing would be.
Between losing Marc Guehi to Man City and Ibrahima Konate’s prolonged contract saga, Liverpool’s centre-back prospects are in a curious place.
An emerging storyline is that Spurs’ van de Ven is a person of interest to the Liverpool recruitment team. It’s no surprise. He’s, strong, fast, intelligent and has proven to be one of the finest central defenders in England.
Liverpool are developing a keen interest in Micky van de Ven, according to @Matt_Barlow_DM
Thoughts? ?pic.twitter.com/eEPkn0fXe2
— Slotoholic (@Slotoholic) January 21, 2026
I recently wrote that Liverpool signing van de Ven is an expensive risk. There is no doubt that the 24-year-old is a top player but his injury record is something to worry about.
Beyond that, he would be the perfect signing for Liverpool at centre-back.
Spurs place “British transfer record” level valuation on Micky van de Ven
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Liverpool and others will struggle to sign van de Ven given the high valuation Spurs have placed on him. The Dutchman is under contract until 30 June 2029.
He said: “Micky van de Ven is going nowhere, and Tottenham have a valuation on him at British transfer record levels.
“So were he to depart Tottenham regardless of contract ticking down window upon window, Spurs would be expecting a British transfer record.
“The contract of Micky van de Ven at the moment expires in 2028. So as he heads into the final two years, that number will seem higher and higher and higher compared to how much time is left on the contract.
“But that is Tottenham’s valuation, and I don’t expect that to change in the final 11 days of the window, and it may well not change in the summer either. So Spurs are really calm about the situation.”
Liverpool are the current holder of the British transfer record fee after paying £125million to sign Alexander Isak in the summer transfer window.
Spurs, however, only have van de Ven under contract until 2029 and will struggle to fetch a fee of that size for the defender.
On paper, van de Ven is exactly what Liverpool need at centre-half
Outside of anything related to van de Ven’s injury record, there is no denying that he has everything required to become a world-beater at centre-back.
Bastoni would be an incredible signing, but if Liverpool want Premier League-proven centre-back, van de Ven would be a fantastic pick.
Still only 24, Liverpool could secure the long-term future of their backline with a move for him. Looking further down the line, there is the potential for a partnership with Giovanni Leoni when the Italian centre-half matures, assuming his ACL injury doesn’t harm his development.