Reports linking Premier League giants Liverpool with a move for Micky Van de Ven appear to have sparked Wolfsburg into action with a replacement possibly arriving from Serie A.
When the subject of Liverpool’s alleged interest was brought up by ESPN this week – Micky Van de Ven speaking to the media during the post-season international break – one suspects the Wolfsburg bosses will have been hoping to see him slap away the rumours with a straight bat.
But the Dutch are renowned for their rather ‘straight-talking’ ways for a reason.
“I am very good at Wolfsburg, so I don’t mind staying at Wolfsburg for another year. But if I get a chance to leave, I would like to,” the 22-year-old said.
“Of course, I read everything (the speculation). I have good contact with my agent, so I know what’s going on. I’ll see where it will lead.
“Hopefully, (a big transfer after the U21 Euros) would be nice. The Premier League? Maybe, yes. Who knows.”
Wolfsburg’s Micky Van de Ven open to Liverpool move
Not quite an old-fashioned ‘come and get me plea’, perhaps. But this was certainly a player letting Liverpool know that his ears are open.
According to the Wolfsberger Allgemeine Zeitung, Liverpool’s new sporting director – Jorg Schmadtke – is weighing up a potential £34 million move for a player he brought to Germany in the first place for a bargain £3.5 million back in 2021.
Wolfsburg are leaving nothing to chance either.
Sky Italia say that Sassuolo’s Gian Marco Ferrari has been lined up as a potential replacement in case Liverpool step up their interest in a cultured, ball-playing centre-half who could replace Joel Matip at Anfield while forming a new-look partnership with fellow Dutchman Virgil van Dijk at the heart of Jurgen Klopp’s backline.
Liverpool are also keen on Jurrien Timber (Ajax) and Perr Schuurs (Torino). Van de Ven, however, may be the most attainable of the three, and not just because of the Schmadtke factor.
Timber is also a target for Manchester United. He worked alongside Erik ten Hag, Lisandro Martinez and Antony at Ajax. Torino, meanwhile, are in no rush to sell Schuurs less than 12 months after he arrived in Italy.
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