Liverpool have been linked with a move for Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven, but journalist Fabrizio Romano has now dropped a big new twist.
The Reds are in need of a new central defender ahead of next season, and possibly even a player with the versatility to do a job at full-back, too.
Spurs and Netherlands ace Van de Ven falls into that bracket and has emerged as a reported defensive option this week, with DaveOCKOP relaying the news on X on Thursday evening:
“Liverpool make move to sign Micky van de Ven from Tottenham, according to the reliable Mike Verweij. The report states that both Liverpool and Barcelona are interested in capitalizing on the impasse over a new Tottenham contract.”
Now, Romano has shot down these claims, however, also taking to X to claim that the Reds and Barcelona won’t be signing Van de Ven this summer:
“Understand no move to Liverpool or Barcelona is planned for Micky van de Ven. Tottenham see the centre back as key part of the project, Roberto De Zerbi wants him to stay. No exit planned this summer.”
Would Micky van de Ven excel in a Liverpool shirt?
It looks as though Van de Ven will remain a Spurs player, which is a shame for Liverpool, given how formidable he can be, even though injuries can be an issue.
The 25-year-old has incredible speed, quality on the ball and leadership, with Ange Postecoglou waxing lyrical over him, having worked together at Spurs:
“He (Van de Ven) can be as good as he wants to be. You watch him at the World Cup. I reckon they’ll play him left-back and he’ll be unbelievable. Once he gets going, technically he’s good, and his ability to cover ground is phenomenal. You’d set him up against any striker in the world without any fear that he was going to get outmuscled, and definitely not outrun.”
That’s not to say that Van de Ven is perfect – he isn’t the most reliable in terms of fitness, as mentioned – and Liverpool now have to look at alternative options this summer.
Ideally, they will sign a proven centre-back option to partner Virgil van Dijk next season, while Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni also earn minutes and mature as players.