Liverpool manager Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes have been urged to raid Tottenham Hotspur for Micky van de Ven, with Khalid Boulahrouz explaining why the defender is the perfect long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk, but TEAMtalk analyses that a transfer may not be possible.<\/p>\n
Van Dijk<\/a> has been on the books of Liverpool since January 2018, when he joined from Southampton, and has been one of the best players for the Merseyside club since then. The Netherlands international defender has won the Premier League title twice, the FA Cup once, the EFL Cup twice, and the Champions League once with the Reds so far in his career.<\/p>\n The Dutchman signed a new contract with Liverpool<\/a> in April 2025 to extend his stay at Anfield until the summer of 2027.<\/p>\n Despite being 34 years of age, Van Dijk remains one of the first names on the Liverpool teamsheet and is also a regular for the Netherlands.<\/p>\n Former Chelsea defender Boulahrouz is a huge fan of Van Dijk, but the Dutchman has noted his compatriot has not been at his best this season, echoing the claims made by ex-Manchester United star Wayne Rooney.<\/p>\n Boulahrouz believes that Liverpool need to start looking for a long-term successor to Van Dijk and has urged the defending Premier League champions to move for Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> defender Micky van de Ven.<\/p>\n Van de Ven plays<\/a> with Van Dijk for the Netherlands team and has established himself as a key figure for Spurs, with whom he won the Europa League in the 2024\/25 campaign.<\/p>\n Boulahrouz told ESPN Netherlands<\/a>: \u00a0\u201cVirgil is still undisputed in the Dutch national team, even though Liverpool haven\u2019t been performing quite as well lately.<\/p>\n \u201cDiogo Jota\u2019s passing has had a huge impact on the squad. In addition, many new players have joined.<\/p>\n \u201cThat has an impact, and you can see that with Van Dijk. But despite that, he remains a world-class player.\u201d<\/p>\n Boulahrouz noted about Van de Ven: \u201cHe\u2019s really outperforming them. He\u2019s physically strong and incredibly quick.<\/p>\n \u201cOpponents know that, so they don\u2019t even try to get past him anymore. He could still do better on the ball; he makes the occasional blunder. But overall, I think he\u2019s fantastic.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s the ideal successor to Virgil van Dijk, both in the Dutch national team and at Liverpool.<\/p>\n \u201cThe question, of course, is what Virgil will do after the World Cup. Playing in the Premier League for years has taken its toll. You might long for a bit of a break.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd Liverpool isn\u2019t crazy: if you\u2019re looking for a world-class left defender and you have the money, you\u2019ll quickly end up with Van de Ven.<\/p>\n \u201cThe same goes for the Dutch national team. I think Koeman has long since realised that Van Dijk\u2019s successor is already out there.\u201d<\/p>\n READ NEXT\u00a0<\/strong>\ud83d\udd34\u00a0Antoine Semenyo\u2019s true thoughts on Liverpool move revealed as fourth source assesses January transfer chances<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Tottenham Hotspur plans regarding Micky van de Ven \u2013 sources<\/strong><\/p>\n Interestingly, Liverpool have been linked with Van de Ven<\/a> in the Spanish press.<\/p>\n Liverpool are on the hunt for at least one new centre-back in 2026, with Ibrahima Konate out of contract at the end of the season and yet to sign a new deal.<\/p>\n Given how good Van de Ven is and the fact that he can still get better at the age of 24, it would be remiss to suggest that Liverpool will not be at least keeping tabs on him.<\/p>\n Sources have told TEAMtalk\u2019s transfer correspondent, Fraser Fletcher, that Real Madrid have also taken a shine to Van de Ven<\/a>.<\/p>\n While Tottenham are aware that the team need to qualify for the Champions League on a regular basis and have to show ambition to keep the defender they paid just \u00a334million (\u20ac39m, $45m) for in 2023, the north London club have no immediate plans to cash in on him.<\/p>\n Fletcher reported on TEAMtalk on November 5: \u201cWith Van de Ven contracted until 2029, the club faces no immediate financial or contractual pressure to sell.<\/p>\n \u201cSpurs\u2019 hierarchy view him as a world-class centre-back and a symbol of their ambitious project under Frank.<\/p>\n \u201cSources close to the club insist there is \u2018zero intention\u2019 to part ways, with the defender\u2019s development central to their plans.\u201d<\/p>\n Transfer journalist Graeme Bailey told TBR on November 6: \u201cA new deal for\u00a0Van de Ven\u00a0is emerging as one of Tottenham\u2019s priorities under Vinai Venkatesham\u2019s reign, and talks have already been taking place since the summer.<\/p>\n \u201cBut this is both ways, Van de Ven is very happy at Tottenham, he has settled in brilliantly since he arrived, having now emerged as one of the Premier League\u2019s best, and his partnership with Cristian Romero is on par with anything in the game.<\/p>\n \u201cRomero plays a part here; his decision not to seek a move in the summer has an impact on Van de Ven, who is ready to follow in his steps and sign, and he will be rewarded with similar terms to those of his Argentine colleague.<\/p>\n \u201cYes, both Spurs and Van de Ven are aware of interest; there is no denying that. Spurs believe he is one of the best anywhere in Europe, and they are recognising this with this prospective new deal. Talks are set to accelerate this month.\u201d<\/p>\n Tottenham expert John Wenham told Tottenham News on November 15: \u201cI think with his existing deal running until 2029, Spurs are not in a panic situation.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, as he joined from the Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, I imagine he is probably on \u00a360-70,000 per week maximum.<\/p>\n \u201cSo Spurs should reward his rapid progress into one of the best defenders in the Premier League with a new deal and could even double his current salary.\u201d<\/p>\n Latest Liverpool transfer news: Tottenham threat, new British record<\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur are ready to splash the cash to block Liverpool<\/a> from completing an audacious swap deal with Real Madrid.<\/p>\n