Former Premier League manager Tim Sherwood has suggested that Manchester United could attempt to hijack Liverpool's reported interest in signing Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven, with the Dutch star valued at a staggering £100 million.
Sherwood's Transfer Prediction
Speaking to CasinoStugan, Sherwood outlined his belief that Manchester United will be determined not to miss out on a key defensive target this summer, following past transfer missteps. He pointed to the club's financial power and brand appeal as factors that could see them leapfrog rivals in the race for Van de Ven's signature.
'United are a club that can go from where they have been to the top quicker than most because they've got the brand power, the money to do it. They can pay the big wages for the big players,' Sherwood stated. 'They missed the boat before. They could have signed Declan Rice and Harry Kane. Instead, they ended up with seven or eight signings who were alright but mostly very poor. They won't want to miss the boat this time on Van de Ven.'
Van de Ven's Rising Stock
The 24-year-old centre-back has become a pivotal figure for Tottenham since his £34.5 million move from Wolfsburg in 2023. This season, he has made 30 appearances, remarkably contributing seven goals from defence across all competitions. His current contract runs until 2029, but speculation about a summer departure has intensified as Spurs struggle in the Premier League, currently sitting in 14th place.
According to reports from The Daily Mail last month, Liverpool are 'developing a keen interest' in Van de Ven and could make a formal move in the upcoming transfer window. Arne Slot's side did secure young defender Jeremy Jacquet in January, but further reinforcements are expected, especially if Ibrahima Konate departs on a free transfer.
Tottenham's Stance and Valuation
Despite the growing interest, Tottenham are under no pressure to sell and are likely to demand a record fee for their key asset. talkSPORT indicates that the North London club have set Van de Ven's valuation at £100 million, which would make him the most expensive defender in football history.
Spurs manager Thomas Frank recently moved to quell the speculation, emphasising Van de Ven's importance to the club's future. 'He's very important for us, so Micky's a Tottenham player now and for the future,' Frank said. 'Micky's an excellent player; he's a fantastic ambassador for this club. He's having potentially his best season so far. He's fit, he's strong, good defensively, he's growing as a leader, scoring goals as well, and he's a very important player for us this season and for the future.'
Fierce Competition Expected
Sherwood anticipates a major battle for Van de Ven's services, with multiple top clubs likely to be involved. 'If he proves his fitness, I think there will be a queue around the block for him,' he remarked. 'He will certainly be at the top of a lot of lists at any number of clubs and Tottenham will have to fight tooth and nail to keep hold of him.'
The pundit also suggested that Tottenham's ability to retain their star defender may hinge on the player's own belief in the project at the club. 'I think the only real way they keep hold of him is if Mickey decides that there might be a bright future ahead at Tottenham, and right now they're down in 14th in the Premier League and out of the running for the two domestic cups. They're flying high in the Champions League but there are stiffer tests to come in that competition.'
As the summer transfer window approaches, the saga surrounding Micky van de Ven is set to become one of the most closely watched stories, with Manchester United and Liverpool potentially at the forefront of a costly and high-stakes pursuit.
