Liverpool view Tottenham star Micky van de Ven as the perfect option to play alongside Virgil van Dijk as they look to add to their back line.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 23-year-old has emerged as one of their top targets for the position.
Van de Ven’s pace and Premier League experience are viewed as key assets, while they are long-term admirers of his, having tracked his progress before his move to Spurs.
This comes after Dee sports exclusively revealed on 15 February that Liverpool are “very keen” on the Tottenham man, who is hugely rated by Arne Slot.
Liverpool are looking to strengthen their options at centre-back amid uncertainty over Van Dijk’s future, although any incoming signing would ideally play alongside the current captain.
The Dutchman remains a crucial part of Slot’s plans for the future, but the boss would like to add a new option alongside him to strengthen their defensive core.
Van de Ven, meanwhile, has previously spoken of his desire to play alongside the Liverpool centre-back – albeit while on international duty with the Netherlands.
Liverpool plot move to sign Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted that any deal is unlikely to come cheap given Van de Ven’s importance to Tottenham.
“Liverpool see Van de Ven as the perfect partner for Van Dijk,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s a very good player and a very good option for them.
“They’d be adding pace to their team alongside the captain at the back
He’s a good player with Premier League experience and he’s very highly-regarded.
“He and Van Dijk both play for the same national team as well, which always helps, there will already be that knowledge and understanding there.
“Liverpool definitely want to strengthen at the back, and he’s one of their options.
“How much Tottenham would be asking for him, I’m not sure, but he’s a key play for them so I doubt he’d be available for a cheap fee.
It’s a deal that would make a lot of sense for Liverpool and I wouldn’t be surprised if they got it done.”
Arne Slot planning big-money Premier League deals
Van de Ven is not the only rival Premier League player Liverpool could look to bring to Anfield in the summer, as Alexander Isak has emerged as a target at Anfield.
The Newcastle striker has emerged as a key target for Slot, who is looking to sign an out-and-out striker to bolster his attacking options.
Football Insider revealed on 18 February that the deal could be sweetened with the inclusion of Darwin Nunez in a part-exchange deal to bring Isak to Liverpool.
However, the Magpies are set to demand upwards of £100million for his signature while he remains on a long-term contract until 2028.
