Micky Van de Ven has indicated that he is open to a move to Premier League giants Liverpool after a fine season in the Bundesliga with VFL Wolfsburg.
It’s fitting that one of Jorg Schmadtke’s first signings since replacing Julian Ward at Anfield could be a man the club’s new sporting director knows better than most.
Micky Van de Ven joined Wolfsburg from FC Volendam for just £3.5 million during the Schmadtke era at the Volkswagen Arena.
Now, according to the Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung, a reunion could be on the cards at Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp’s side are in the midst of a transition and the midfield is not the only area of his squad crying out for an infusion of fresh blood.
Van de Ven, a £35 million-rated, right-sided centre-half, would be a long-term replacement for the ageing and injury prone Joel Matip and may become the latest Dutchman to don Liverpool red after Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo.
Is Micky Van de Ven heading to Liverpool?
“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 tells ESPN.
“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.”
Van de Ven will feature for his country at the upcoming U21 European Championships. Liverpool are likely to keep an eye on the 6ft 4ins centre-half as the Netherlands take on Belgium, Portugal and Georgia, though fellow Dutchmen Jurrien Timber and Perr Schuurs are also on Klopp’s radar.
“Hopefully, (a big transfer after the Euros) would be nice,” Van de Ven adds. “The Premier League? Maybe, yes. Who knows.”
Liverpool completed their first signing of what is likely to be a busy summer last week; Alexis Mac Allister arriving from Brighton. Talks have also been planned with both Manu Kone and Khephren Thuram, of Borussia Monchengladbach and Nice respectively.
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