Liverpool have wasted no time in identifying their primary defensive alternative following the collapse of the Marc Guehi deal, with reports confirming that the Reds are now preparing an ambitious move for Tottenham Hotspur speedster Micky van de Ven.
The Anfield hierarchy was left reeling yesterday after Manchester City successfully hijacked their move for Guehi with a £25m bid. With their primary target now heading for a medical at the Etihad, sporting director Richard Hughes has been forced to pivot immediately to his contingency list. According to Flashscore, Van de Ven sits at the very top of that pile, championed by manager Arne Slot.
The Slot Connection Rekindled
The link between Liverpool and Van de Ven is logical and long-standing. Slot is a confirmed admirer of the 24-year-old, having tried to sign him during his time at Feyenoord before the defender moved to Wolfsburg. The Liverpool boss views Van de Ven’s recovery pace as the ultimate insurance policy for his high-defensive line—a trait that makes him statistically one of the few players in world football capable of replicating Virgil van Dijk’s aura of invincibility.
While Guehi was viewed as the "sensible" market opportunity due to his contract situation, Van de Ven is seen as the "dream" tactical fit. His ability to cover vast spaces behind the full-backs aligns perfectly with Liverpool’s aggressive pressing system, offering a solution to the counter-attacking vulnerability that has occasionally plagued them this season.
The Tottenham Vault is Locked
However, shifting focus from Crystal Palace to Tottenham represents a massive jump in financial difficulty. Unlike Palace, who were forced to sell Guehi due to his expiring deal, Spurs hold all the cards. Van de Ven is under contract in North London until June 2029, and manager Thomas Frank views him as the non-negotiable cornerstone of his defence.
Despite the departure of Daniel Levy last year, the Tottenham board remains formidable in negotiations. Sources suggest that any approach for Van de Ven would need to shatter the world record fee for a defender—currently the £80m paid for Harry Maguire—to even be considered. Spurs are under no pressure to sell, and strengthening a direct top-four rival mid-season is likely to be viewed as a non-starter by the new leadership regime.
Financial Reality Check
This leaves FSG in a predicament. They refused to pay £40m for Guehi in January, gambling on a free transfer and losing. Are they now prepared to sanction a bid in excess of £85m for Van de Ven? It seems highly unlikely in the winter window.
The more probable scenario is that Liverpool are laying the groundwork for a summer assault. However, with the Micky van de Ven next club odds drifting significantly for a January move, the immediate reality for Liverpool fans is that they may have to navigate the rest of the campaign without the defensive reinforcement Slot desperately requested.