Updated: 19 Jun 2026 10:21 BST |
5 min read
Liverpool hot on the heels of Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven, who has been branded the ‘best in the Premier League’ by manager Roberto De Zerbi amid confusion over a new contract for the Netherlands international.
With a deal for Victor Munoz all-but official, Liverpool are turning their attentions elsewhere in the transfer market. Another winger is likely to arrive at Anfield this summer, though a deal for Yan Diomande faces a delay due to an agency dispute, while Andoni Iraola’s side are also in the market for central midfielders and centre-backs.
With Ibrahima Konate having left to join Real Madrid as a free agent, Liverpool and Barcelona are closely monitoring the situation of Van de Ven, whose situation at Spurs has gone strangely quiet.
Van de Ven’s Spurs future suddenly in doubt
Van de Ven could hook up with international team-mate Virgil van Dijk at Anfield as contract talks have mysteriously stalled with Tottenham.
Dutch source De Telegraaf states: “Van de Ven’s management is unwilling to comment on the impasse that appears to have arisen, so it is anyone’s guess why the Dutchman is not signing a new contract.”
This marks a remarkable U-turn as just a matter of months ago, a new deal for the 25-year-old appeared little more than a formality.
“I think he is the best centre back in the Premier League,” Roberto De Zerbi said in May.
“We talk a lot of time because I think he suffered maybe too much for the situation of Tottenham this season. He’s a sensitive guy, he’s a good guy, and in my time, I think he played amazingly.
“And for that, I’d answer he’s the best centre-back, left centre, in the Premier League.”
The respect between Van de Ven and De Zerbi appears to be mutual.
“The gaffer has been unbelievable, I’m not going to lie, since he stepped in. I spoke a lot with him as well because he also saw that I was not in the best mood, even at the training ground,” he told Spurs’ official website.
“So, he spoke a lot to me and he said to me: ‘You’re going to be a really important player for me these last couple of games and I’m going to rely on you. You need to trust me and trust me, I trust you.’”
Spurs in need of big sales?
Van de Ven’s future has been brought increasingly into question due to Spurs’ transfer business this summer. In the defence alone, Pedro Porro’s contract was upgraded, Andy Robertson joined from Liverpool, Marcos Senesi signed from Bournemouth and Jan Paul van Hecke has been snapped up in a €60m deal from Brighton.
With Spurs also seeking to sign Sandro Tonali from Newcastle in a deal worth €120m, it may be they need to raise money through the sales of key players, with Van de Ven a leading candidate to go. His Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) sits at €73.5m.
Van de Ven to Liverpool makes sense
Liverpool are looking for long-term solutions in the heart of their defence, meanwhile. Van Dijk will anchor the team for another year, but Van de Ven fits the age profile that is ideal for him to become the senior figure in the rearguard when his compatriot departs.
At 25 years old, he is coming into his prime and already boasts three years of Premier League experience. With Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet on their books, Liverpool do not need another promising youngster, but instead someone capable who can step in and shine immediately.
Van de Ven, proclaimed by De Zerbi as the best in the Premier League, is the type of figure who could do just that.
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