Liverpool have reportedly backed out of the race to sign Tottenham Hotspur target Micky van de Ven.
The Wolfsburg defender has won admirers throughout Europe for his impressive displays in the Bundesliga, notably receiving plaudits for his electric pace. It has been somewhat of a meteoric rise for the young centre-back, who is fresh from his breakthrough season in Germany, having begun his career with second tier Dutch side Volendam.
Van de Ven, who captained Netherlands under-21s at the recent European Championship, is claimed to have sparked a transfer battle between Spurs and Liverpool this summer. However, reports in Germany have suggested that the Reds are no longer planning to pursue a move for the 22-year-old.
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A report from German outlet Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, via Liverpool ECHO , has stated that Liverpool have reached a ‘conclusion’ to scrap their plans to sign van de Ven. It is claimed that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and new director of football Jorg Schmadtke held a ‘consultation’ that resulted in the club ‘cooling’ their interest in the Dutch centre-back.
Spurs are known to be in the market for a new centre-half this summer as Ange Postecoglou looks to reshape his squad. football.london previously reported that the club were aiming to make a decision over their defensive targets, prior to heading out for the start of their pre-season tour on July 14.
Dutch media has reported that Spurs’ negotiations with van de Ven are at an advanced stage, claiming that the defender has already held talks with Postecoglou over a possible move. However, Totttenham are also said to be weighing up moves for Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba and Fulham defender Tosin Adarabioyo, while former Barcelona loanee Clement Lenglet remains another option.
