Micky van de Ven is Man Utd’s top defensive target, but reports say the Tottenham defender will stay put in January after signing new terms in August.
Micky van de Ven is Manchester United’s top defensive target. But the Tottenham defender plans to stay put when the January transfer window opens, according to new reports.
Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke says Man Utd want a deal for the Dutch centre-back at the earliest chance. Liverpool are keen too. Football365 picked up the story on 5 October.
Why Micky van de Ven will stay at Tottenham for now
Van de Ven joined Tottenham from German club Wolfsburg in 2023. He signed new terms in north London in August. O’Rourke says head coach Roberto De Zerbi played a crucial part in that choice.
Spurs appointed De Zerbi last March. At the time, the defender was weighing up his future. The new coach helped to change his mind.
Tottenham have struggled since then. Football365 reports that they sit bottom of the Premier League, despite spending heavily on new players.
That puts pressure on De Zerbi. Football365 even raises the chance that he could lose his job if results do not improve.
O’Rourke does not think the poor start will change the player’s thinking right now. In his view, the Netherlands international will be “confident that they can turn things around”.
Man Utd plan a defensive rebuild
United rebuilt their attack in 2025. Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko all arrived at Old Trafford. The midfield came next, this summer.
Now the defence is the priority. Football365 says at least three new signings are on the agenda for the back line in 2027.
The club had hoped the first of them could arrive in January. Instead, they may have to wait.
The winter window gives clubs only a few weeks to do business in the middle of the season. Selling clubs also need time to find a replacement, which can slow talks down. That is a big hurdle when the player in question is a first-choice centre-back.
Liverpool interest and a record price
Liverpool are watching the 25-year-old as well. A week earlier, CaughtOffside reported that he is Liverpool’s preferred successor to Virgil van Dijk. The same outlet said United admire him too. Van Dijk has been Liverpool’s captain since 2023, so finding his successor is a major task for the club.
CaughtOffside also claimed that sources in the game value the defender at between £80m and £90m.
A fee in that range would make him the most expensive defender in the world. Harry Maguire holds that record after his £80m move to United.
What the reports say
Man Utd: he is the club’s top defensive target before the next window (Football Insider).
Liverpool: still interested, and see him as a future replacement for Van Dijk (Football Insider, CaughtOffside).
Timing: no move in January, after he signed new terms in August (Football Insider).
Price: £80m to £90m, according to industry sources quoted by CaughtOffside.
What happens next
For now, this is transfer talk, not a done deal. The claims come from media reports, and none of them describe a formal offer.
Football365 argues that the picture could change next summer. If Spurs endure another poor season, or De Zerbi fails to turn things around, the defender may look at his options.
Interest from two of England’s biggest clubs would make that decision hard to ignore. Both United and Liverpool will keep a close eye on his form. A summer move would also give any buyer more time to agree a fee.
Until then, Micky van de Ven looks likely to stay in north London and help De Zerbi’s side climb the table.
More football: Gabriel in Man Utd team photo but no hint of reconciliation.
This story draws on reporting by Football365, which cited Football Insider and CaughtOffside.
Source: Football365.
Topics: Micky van de Ven, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool, Transfers, Premier League
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