Micky van de Ven is high on Liverpool’s list of centre-back targets, but there are reasons for concern over the £100 million-rated Tottenham star.
Liverpool could need a high-profile signing at the back if Ibrahima Konate’s Liverpool contract saga reaches an unfavourable conclusion.
With that in mind, Micky van de Ven is a primary target for Liverpool.
The Spurs star has been growing unsettled in an environment in North London that only seems to be getting worse.
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FSG could see that as an opportunity to snap him up, but they need to do their due diligence on the character of the Dutchman.
Micky van de Ven showing signs of an attitude problem at Spurs
Back when Thomas Frank was in charge, there was a moment after a loss to Chelsea where Van de Ven ignored his manager’s attempt at a handshake and walked past him down the tunnel.
He apologised, but that’s likely because of the widespread media attention the incident attracted.
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During the North London derby this past weekend, he again showed a lack of respect for authority, seemingly ignoring the instructions of new coach Igor Tudor as Spurs fell to an emphatic 4-1 defeat.
Micky van de Ven and iGOR tUDOR TALKING DURING sPURS GAME
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Ange Postecoglou also revealed how demanding he and his father/agent were about playing time when they were picking his next club.
Such behaviour is not associated with Liverpool players. Respect for the hierarchy is part of the culture at Anfield.
Van de Ven is a massive talent, and there’s an argument to be made that his frustrations at Spurs are merited. That being said, such behaviour might throw up red flags as Liverpool plan their long-term defensive strategy.
That’s especially the case if the rumoured £100 million fee remains attached to his name.
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As exciting a prospect as Van de Ven’s arrival is, he would be coming from an extremely volatile situation.
It also has to be acknowledged that while there are plenty of external factors at play here, the harsh reality is that he is partly responsible for one of England’s top sides being at risk of relegation.
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The problems at Spurs might make a transfer more straightforward, but it might also mean Liverpool think twice about the quality of their target.
It all still rests on the Konate decision, which we will hopefully have more clarity on in the coming weeks.
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