Liverpool have been told to raid relegation-threatened Tottenham in the summer transfer window
Liverpool could have a clear run at signing Micky van de Ven if Tottenham are relegated. The Reds can push Spurs a step closer to the Championship when the sides meet at Anfield on Sunday.
The appointment of Igor Tudor on an interim basis following the sacking of Thomas Frank has backfired. In fact, Spurs have arguably got worse to the extent that Tudor could be fired himself if he oversees another defeat.
If the worst were to happen, there would be an exodus of players from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the highly rated Van de Ven leading the way. The Dutch defender, who has been linked with Liverpool in the past, has been one of the club’s few shining lights this season.
After missing out on Marc Guehi, the Reds could look to strengthen the centre of defence this summer, and Van de Ven would be an obvious target. Former Reds midfielder Jason McAteer reckons he will be available “on the cheap” if Spurs go down.
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, the former Ireland international said: “‘There are a couple out there, but Micky van de Ven seems to be [on the market].
“It will be interesting to see how it develops at Tottenham because if they do go down, they will be looking to offload players, and Liverpool might nick him for a little bit cheaper.”
Ex-Spurs manager Tim Sherwood also believes Van de Ven would be ideal for Liverpool. He said: “I think he’s the obvious choice on that left side, there aren’t many of those about. There is one other, Jarrad Branthwaite, but he ain’t going to Liverpool, so it opens up the door there for Micky to go in there as a Liverpool player.”
Real Madrid are also admirers but Van de Ven’s high regard for Liverpool could give the Reds an advantage. Speaking in June 2023, shortly before his £43m move to Spurs from Wolfsburg, he told Voetbal International: “Of course, there are a lot of people who draw lines.
“It’s true that the director [then Liverpool sporting director Jorg Schmadtke previously worked for Wolfsburg] went there and I know that Liverpool followed me before. But at the moment, I don’t know anything. Do I think Liverpool is a nice club? Naturally.”
Going back further, Van de Ven once paid a Boxing Day visit to Anfield, revealing that it was his dream to play there one day. He told Wolfsburger Allgemeine Aller-Zeitung in January 2023: “I once went to the Liverpool stadium with my dad.
“That was over Christmas on Boxing Day. Liverpool vs Arsenal. That was madness. Then when ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ comes [on], that’s a goosebump moment, that was very cool. It’s a dream to play there.”
Van de Ven won’t be in action on Sunday as he serves a one-match suspension for his recent red card against Crystal Palace.