Liverpool are preparing to test Tottenham Hotspur's resolve with a potential world-record bid for Micky van de Ven, as the fallout from Manchester City’s hijacking of the Marc Guehi deal forces the Anfield hierarchy into drastic action.
According to the latest updates from Sky Sports, the Reds have firmly pivoted their attention to North London. Having seen their "sensible" plan to sign Guehi evaporate in the face of City’s financial aggression, sporting director Richard Hughes has been authorised to explore a significantly more expensive deal for Arne Slot’s dream target.
The "Premium" Plan B
While Guehi was viewed as a market opportunity due to his contract situation, Van de Ven is viewed as a tactical necessity. Slot’s insistence on a high defensive line requires elite recovery pace—a specific attribute that Van de Ven possesses in abundance.
Sources indicate that Liverpool are willing to eclipse the £80m Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire to bring the Dutchman to Merseyside. Ideally, FSG would prefer to wait until the summer, but the current defensive fragility and the public embarrassment of losing Guehi to a title rival has accelerated the timeline. The feeling inside the AXA Training Centre is that Van de Ven is the only defender in world football capable of seamlessly stepping into Virgil van Dijk’s shoes.
Thomas Frank’s Battle
The obstacle, however, remains Tottenham. Spurs manager Thomas Frank is currently fighting to save his job with the club languishing in 14th place. The Danish coach has reportedly told the board that sanctioning the sale of his best defender in January would be a "resignation-worthy" decision.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the weekend’s fixtures, Frank was defiant when asked about the rumours: "Micky is fundamental to what we are trying to build. We are not a supermarket. We do not sell our best players in January to teams we want to compete with. It is zero percent."
The "Levy-less" Boardroom Test
This saga represents the first major stress test for Tottenham’s new leadership structure since the departure of Daniel Levy last year. CEO Vinai Venkatesham is tasked with balancing the books while keeping the fanbase onside—a delicate tightrope walk given the current league position.
While Frank’s stance is clear, the financial reality of a bid in excess of £85m would be difficult for any board to ignore, especially without Champions League revenue. If Liverpool place that figure on the table, the decision may be taken out of Frank’s hands, echoing the way the club eventually cashed in on Harry Kane.
Market Reaction
The betting markets have reacted to the Sky Sports update with caution. The Micky van de Ven next club odds have shortened slightly, but Spurs remain heavy favourites to retain him until at least the summer. However, if Liverpool officially lodge a record-breaking bid in the coming days, the dynamic could shift rapidly.