Liverpool and Manchester United are set to compete for Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven, with the player reportedly open to a £100 million move, according to reports emerging on February 24, 2026.
The intensifying interest from Liverpool comes as the club continues to assess its defensive options, particularly with uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of Ibrahima Konaté, whose contract is nearing its expiration. Inter Milan is reportedly exploring a potential deal for Konaté, adding further urgency to Liverpool’s search for a central defensive reinforcement. Arne Slot, Liverpool’s head coach, has publicly acknowledged the defensive challenges facing the team, though he indicated that immediate action during the January transfer window was unlikely.
Liverpool’s need for defensive additions has been exacerbated by injuries and departures. Jarell Quansah was sold to Bayer Leverkusen last summer, and a subsequent signing, Italian teenager Giovanni Leoni, suffered an ACL injury shortly after his debut in the Carabao Cup. The current defensive lineup primarily relies on Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, neither of whom have consistently performed at their previous high levels.
Manchester United’s entry into the race for van de Ven adds another layer of complexity to the potential transfer. The pursuit of van de Ven comes as Manchester United seeks to bolster their squad, while Tottenham may be hesitant to lose a key player. Real Madrid has also been linked with an interest in the Dutch defender.
Tottenham, meanwhile, is considering potential replacements for goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, with reported interest in Manchester City’s James Trafford, Sunderland’s Robin Roefs, and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Bart Verbruggen. The club is also evaluating midfield options, with Nottingham Forest’s Ibrahim Sangaré emerging as a potential target for Manchester United as they search for a replacement for Casemiro.
Elsewhere, Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso has attracted attention from Liverpool, Manchester City, and Real Madrid, with Juventus reportedly demanding over €60 million for his services. RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande is also drawing interest from a trio of English clubs – Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham – as well as Bayern Munich, with a potential transfer fee exceeding £80 million.
