Can Micky van de Ven be long-term defensive successor to Virgil van Dijk? Liverpool eye shock move

Liverpool have reportedly identified Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven as a potential long-term replacement for Virgil van Dijk, with the Merseyside club said to be exploring a move for the Dutch centre-back ahead of the summer transfer window.

According to transfer rumours, the Reds admire Van de Ven’s profile and view the 24-year-old as an ideal fit for their evolving defensive setup. With Van Dijk now 34 and entering the final phase of his contract at Anfield, Liverpool are believed to be planning proactively for the future of their backline rather than waiting for a transition period to force their hand.

Van de Ven, who joined Tottenham from Wolfsburg, has quickly established himself as a key figure in Spurs’ defence. His pace, physicality and ability to play out from the back have made him one of the standout centre-backs in the Premier League this season. Those attributes reportedly align closely with Liverpool’s defensive philosophy, particularly in a system that often demands high defensive lines and recovery speed.

The report claims that Liverpool have already opened informal discussions with Tottenham and the player’s representatives to gauge the feasibility of a summer deal. However, any move is expected to be far from straightforward. Van de Ven is under contract at Spurs until 2029, placing Tottenham in a strong negotiating position and ensuring that any potential transfer would come at a significant cost.