Tottenham Hotspur have issued a defiant message to Liverpool regarding Micky van de Ven, setting a "historic" asking price for the Dutch defender as they fight to keep their season from unravelling completely. Reports from Football365 indicate that while the player is actively "pushing to leave" North London, the club hierarchy will demand a fee that would shatter the transfer record for a defender to sanction a January exit.
The Crisis Under Frank
The situation at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has become increasingly toxic under manager Thomas Frank. With Spurs languishing in 14th place and looking devoid of confidence, Van de Ven has emerged as one of the few bright sparks in a dismal campaign. However, sources suggest the 24-year-old has grown disillusioned with the project and "unconvinced" by the club's direction, leading to a breakdown in contract renewal talks.
Frank, whose position is under severe scrutiny, is desperate to retain his most reliable asset. Yet, the player’s camp is reportedly exploring exit routes, with the allure of Champions League football at Anfield proving difficult to ignore. The disconnect between the player’s ambition and the club’s current reality has created a "breaking point" that Liverpool are keen to exploit.
Slot’s Vision: The Van Dijk Heir
Arne Slot has identified Van de Ven as the long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk. With the Liverpool captain turning 35 next season, the Reds are actively recruiting for the future of their backline. Van de Ven’s recovery pace—statistically the fastest in Premier League history—allows Slot to play the high defensive line he favours, making the tactical fit seamless.
Liverpool have reportedly been preparing a package in the region of £78m (€90m), but Spurs’ "record demand" suggests they will need to go higher—potentially eclipsing the £80m Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire—to force Daniel Levy’s hand mid-season.
Financial Leverage and Market Odds
Despite the player’s unrest, Tottenham hold significant leverage. Van de Ven is contracted until 2029, meaning the club is under no immediate financial pressure to sell unless a bid is simply too good to refuse. The strategy appears to be to price Liverpool out of a January move, hoping to reassess the situation in the summer when a new manager might be in charge.
The Micky van de Ven next club odds have shortened on a Liverpool switch, reflecting the market’s belief that Spurs’ resolve may crumble if the player agitates further. For now, the standoff continues: Spurs have named their price, and it is a world-record gamble on their own survival.