£100m price tag forces Liverpool to reshape defence

£100m is the fee Tottenham Hotspur reportedly demand for Dutch centre‑back Micky van de Ven, a price that could shape Liverpool’s pursuit of a replacement for Virgil van Dijk as the English club reshapes its backline this summer in the upcoming season.

Liverpool confirmed the signing of 20‑year‑old French defender Jeremy Jacquet on Wednesday. The deal, potentially rising to £60m, sees him arrive from Rennes despite a February injury, and he is expected to be fit for preseason under new coach Andoni Iraola.

Jacquet joins a new wave of defenders that Richard Hughes is tasked with integrating to secure the backline. Last summer Giovanni Leoni arrived from Parma for £26m, while Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe have also been recruited.

Liverpool will soon lack experience in defence after Ibrahima Konate departed on a free transfer to Real Madrid. The club also faces the imminent exits of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, who are set to leave next summer if not sooner.

A genuine target has emerged in the shape of Micky van de Ven. “Tottenham Hotspur would demand at least £100million if Liverpool attempted to pull off a stunning move for Micky van de Ven this summer,” the report reads. The 25‑year‑old Dutchman has been at Tottenham since 2023 after moving from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.

Van de Ven has been on Liverpool’s radar for some time, a player former head coach Arne Slot pursued while at AZ and Feyenoord. Tottenham have struggled to secure a new contract for him, with his current deal running until 2029, giving Liverpool a potential window.

Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham side is holding out for the £100m price tag, underscoring the premium clubs now place on proven Premier League defenders. The high fee reflects a broader market trend where clubs are willing to invest heavily to replace ageing stars and maintain defensive stability.