Liverpool are not actively pursuing a summer deal for Tottenham Hotspur and Netherlands defender Micky van de Ven, despite mounting speculation across Europe.
The Reds have already kicked off the Andoni Iraola era with intent, wrapping up a £34 million deal for Osasuna winger Victor Muñoz on Thursday.
Following a disappointing, trophyless campaign under Arne Slot that resulted in a fifth-place finish, Liverpool chiefs want to give Iraola the necessary tools to challenge for major honours again.
While the frontline remains the immediate priority, the club must eventually address its defensive depth. The Reds are losing Ibrahima Konaté, who has joined Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer. While Iraola still retains Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Jeremy Jacquet, and Giovanni Leoni, the club wants to inject more elite experience into the heart of the backline.
European giants circle as Tottenham navigate turbulent demoted threat
Reports in the Netherlands briefly ignited suggestions that Liverpool were ready to pounce for Van de Ven. Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf claimed that both Liverpool and Barcelona had “knocked on the door” at Tottenham to gather information on the 25-year-old, hoping to exploit an impasse in his contract negotiations.
Before the conclusion of the season, reliable journalist Ben Jacobs shed light on the defender’s situation and his clear preference for a move to Merseyside during an appearance on The United Stand:
“Micky van de Ven, they (Manchester United) won’t make an approach unless Tottenham go down. If Tottenham stay up, I think Micky van de Ven will likely sign a new deal, but a bit like Senesi, quite an open situation. I have said before on the show, if Liverpool enter that race, Van de Ven would want to join Liverpool, but they haven’t entered that race. So, let’s kind of be a bit patient on that one because Van de Ven is only focused on trying to keep Tottenham up at this stage.
From what I gather, he really enjoys playing under Roberto De Zerbi, but he’s not necessarily the kind of player that wants to drop into the Championship, even if he likes the manager.”
Insiders dismiss transfer talk as Spurs declare defender ‘untouchable’
Despite the noise coming from the Netherlands, prominent UK journalists and transfer experts have swiftly poured cold water on the links. talkSPORT’s Alex Crook explicitly clarified Liverpool’s stance on X, writing:
“#LFC are not actively pursuing Micky van de Ven at this moment.”
#LFC are not actively pursuing Micky van de Ven at this moment.
Fabrizio Romano echoed this information on YouTube, asserting that Tottenham have absolutely no intention of selling the Dutch international, who currently has two years remaining on his contract. Romano explained:
“For Tottenham, he is absolutely untouchable. Tottenham want Micky van de Ven to stay.”
Romano compared the situation to that of right-back Pedro Porro, who used links to Manchester City and Real Madrid as leverage before committing his long-term future to Roberto De Zerbi’s project with a new five-year contract.
Ultimately, representatives often use Liverpool’s name as a convenient tool to accelerate contract negotiations.
For the time being, Liverpool have no immediate plans to draft in a central defender. Iraola will assess young prospects like Ifeanyi Ndukwe and Mor Talla Ndiaye alongside his senior options, keeping the club’s primary focus locked on securing RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande.
Nazira Yusuf is a versatile sports journalist and dedicated Liverpool supporter who brings a wealth of experience from the front lines of the Premier League.
As a reporter she is a familiar face in press rooms, delivering breaking news, injury updates, and tactical insights on the Reds on match days.
Follow Nazira for authoritative coverage as Liverpool battles for domestic and European glory.
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