Liverpool transfer news has taken another interesting turn, with Micky van de Ven now attracting close attention from two Premier League giants. CaughtOffside reports that Liverpool and Manchester United have reached the close-monitoring stage while assessing the Tottenham Hotspur centre-back for future defensive plans.
Van de Ven, 25, joined Spurs from Wolfsburg in 2023 and has become a regular Netherlands international. His outstanding recovery speed stands out, yet his left-footed passing and comfort defending large spaces make him an especially attractive option for clubs that want to play with a high defensive line.
Liverpool’s interest carries a clear succession angle. Virgil van Dijk remains an important figure at Anfield, but the captain turns 35 this year, and his current contract expires in June 2027. CaughtOffside reports that Liverpool see Van de Ven as a possible long-term successor because he offers pace, Premier League experience and a natural left-sided balance.
Manchester United have their own reasons for tracking him. Recruitment staff continue to assess defensive options, and a quick, left-footed centre-back could add greater athleticism to their back line. For now, though, the report places both clubs firmly in the scouting phase rather than at the point of making a formal offer.
Tottenham have made any potential deal far harder. On August 10, the club confirmed that Van de Ven had signed a new contract running until June 2031. Spurs described him as one of European football’s outstanding defenders, while the player said he wanted to remain part of the club’s direction.
Could Liverpool justify a major move for Van de Ven?
That agreement gives Tottenham considerable leverage. CaughtOffside reports that there is no release clause and that Spurs could seek between £80 million and £90 million for the defender. Those figures remain reported valuations rather than a confirmed asking price, so neither club has a guaranteed route to a deal.
From Liverpool’s perspective, the football logic is easy to see. Van de Ven can cover ground at high speed, defend space behind an aggressive line and progress the ball from the left side. Those qualities would give the Reds a natural option for the post-Van Dijk era.
Still, £80m-£90m represents a huge commitment for a player Tottenham only recently secured until 2031. Liverpool transfer news around Van de Ven should therefore be treated as monitoring rather than evidence of an imminent bid. Manchester United face the same hurdle.
My view? Liverpool should keep the name on their shortlist, but Spurs hold the stronger hand today. A summer move could become realistic only if circumstances change, because Tottenham have little reason to sell cheaply. For now, the story is about scouting, not a transfer battle.
