Tim Sherwood believes Manchester United will not want to miss out on potentially signing Micky van de Ven and could hijack Liverpool’s pursuit of the Tottenham defender.
Van de Ven has been a pivotal player for Spurs since he arrived from Wolfsburg in 2023 for an initial £34.5million fee.
The Dutchman has made 30 appearances this season, and has even proved a reliable source of goals from defence, with seven in all competitions.
Van de Ven’s contract expires in 2029, but rumblings around a potential summer exit have begun to grow louder, particularly as Thomas Frank’s side continue to struggle domestically this season.
The Daily Mail reported last month that Liverpool are ‘developing a keen interest’ in the 24-year-old and could make a move for him in the summer.
Arne Slot’s side confirmed a deal for talented young defender Jeremy Jacquet in the final days of the January window, but are likely to strengthen further in the summer, particularly if Ibrahima Konate leaves on a free transfer.
Sherwood expects competition to sign Van de Ven in the summer to be fierce, and said United could be at the front of the queue to sign the Dutch defender as they look to improve their options at the back.
‘If he proves his fitness, I think there will be a queue around the block for himm’ Sherwood told CasinoStugan.
‘Hopefully Tottenham can keep hold of him but you know what it’s like when a player decides he wants to leave. Unfortunately, if you don’t let him go, you’re left without the money and the player in the end.
‘People may be shocked by that but it all depends on who they have as manager in the summer because they’ve got it wrong so many times before and it looks like they have got it right at the moment.’
Sherwood continued: ‘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.
‘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. 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.
‘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.’
While interest in Van de Ven may be growing, Spurs are unlikely to part ways with one of their key players without significant compensation.
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And talkSPORT suggests that the north London club have set Van de Ven’s value at £100m, meaning any interested party would have to make him the most expensive defender in history if they want to buy him.
Speaking last month on speculation surrounding Van de Ven, Spurs boss Frank said: ‘He’s very important for us, so Micky’s a Tottenham player now and for the future.
‘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.’
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