Liverpool are pushing hard to sign Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven, according to respected De Telegraaf journalist Mike Verweij.
The Reds are planning a significant defensive overhaul under newly appointed manager Andoni Iraola ahead of next season at Anfield.
Verweij reported that Liverpool and Barcelona are the two European clubs positioning themselves to capitalise on a contract impasse between Van de Ven and Tottenham.
Both clubs are hoping to secure the 25-year-old for a potentially cut-price fee given the stalled negotiations with Spurs.
Van de Ven’s explosive recovery pace and composure on the ball have established him as one of the most sought-after left-footed central defenders in European football.
For Liverpool, the Dutch international represents a potentially ideal long-term successor to compatriot Virgil van Dijk in the heart of defence.
His profile aligns well with Iraola’s vertical, high-energy system, while also suiting the high defensive line that Barcelona have long preferred under their successive managers.
Despite the mounting interest, Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi is firmly opposed to losing Van de Ven and views him as a foundational figure within his tactical plans.
De Zerbi, who took over at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium towards the end of last season, completed a £52 million deal for fellow Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton this month.
However, the Italian coach does not view Van Hecke as a replacement for Van de Ven, instead hoping to pair the two Netherlands internationals together at the back.
Former scout Micky Brown has also weighed in, explaining exactly why De Zerbi will fight to keep the defender from leaving north London.
Brown said: “Everybody knows what he brings to the team, he’s got blistering pace, which means he can recover and make these last-ditch challenges, and that can be so important.”
Brown added: “That’s why there’s a lot of interest in him; there’s been talk about Liverpool and others, so he could be tempted to move on.”
He continued: “From Tottenham’s point of view, with De Zerbi coming in, there will be some hope that they can convince him to stay.”
Brown also noted that the incoming manager sees Van de Ven as central to the project, saying: “The new manager wants to build around him; he wants him to be part of his team and the project he’s putting in place.”
The former scout acknowledged areas where De Zerbi could develop the player further, pointing to moments when Van de Ven advances too freely up the pitch.
Brown concluded: “He will hope to have the chance to do that, so that means blocking any possible exit for now, and trying to convince him that staying could still be an option.”
He added: “It may be difficult, and we’ll see where it goes, but from a Spurs point of view, they are going to be very reluctant to lose him.”
With Tottenham’s position clear and De Zerbi determined to keep his key defender, any club looking to prise Van de Ven away will need to submit an astronomical offer to force a sale.
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