**Liverpool see Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven as the possible ideal successor to Virgil van Dijk, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.**
While many Reds players have struggled more this season, even Van Dijk has dipped below the incredible standards he has set since arriving at Anfield from Southampton in January 2008.
Perhaps that is only natural at the age of 34, and it is essential that Liverpool are looking closely at contenders to be his long-term replacement.
Speaking to [_Football Insider_](https://www.footballinsider247.com/micky-van-de-ven-liverpool-in-hot-pursuit-of-deal-to-sign-virgil-van-dijk-replacement/), O’Rourke that the player in question could be Van de Ven, as he weighs up his options amid Spurs’ Premier League relegation fight:
_“It seems that Van de Ven is waiting and sort of mulling over his options right now. There’s been a lot of speculation linking him with a move away from Tottenham. He’s obviously put contract talks on the back burner as well. Manchester United won’t be the only club who will be keeping tabs on the Dutchman’s situation at Tottenham._
_“Liverpool have been linked as well, and they see Van de Ven as a possible long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk, they’re preparing for the future without him. Obviously, Van Dijk isn’t going to be around forever, so Liverpool want to be prepared for the day when he does eventually move on._
_“There’ll be interest from abroad as there has been in the past. The likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid have also been mentioned as possible suitors for Van de Ven. The player himself might be feeling it’s the right time to move on for a new challenge.”_
**Is Micky van de Ven the perfect Virgil van Dijk successor?**
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Van den Ven is a superb centre-back when fit and firing, even though he has been part of a Spurs team that have struggled so badly this season.
The Netherlands international is a Europa League winner, having beaten Manchester United in last season’s final, while former manager [Ange Postecoglou](https://tribuna.com/en/news/2026-02-20-postecoglou-heaps-praise-on-micky-van-de-ven-calling-tottenham-defender-limitless-in-pote) recently described him as “unbelievable”.
Lightning fast, good on the ball and versatile enough to shine as a left-back as well, Van de Ven would strengthen Liverpool’s defence greatly this summer.
Hopefully, Van Dijk sticks around for another couple of years, but to have the Spurs man working alongside his compatriot and preparing to be his successor would make plenty of sense.