Liverpool suffer MAJOR blow in race for £53m centre-back

It is no secret that Liverpool are keen to add a centre-back to their ranks, but some of their potential targets may have been blocked off.

The Reds have not been at their best this season and one of the main reasons for this has been because of their defence, with the backline shipping far too many goals.

It has been a little better in recent matches, but there is no denying that they need more depth due to only having three first-team centre-backs, with a single injury likely to have a big impact.

Liverpool have been linked with many top targets, with some being players who would drastically increase the quality in the team.

There is one in particular who many supporters will want added in the summer too, but it looks as if the Reds might now have been priced out of a move.

Tottenham want a British-record transfer fee for Mickey van de Ven

One of the players Liverpool have been linked with is Mickey van de Ven, with the Dutchman one of the best defenders in the Premier League.

The 24-year-old is said to be stalling over signing a new contract, making a potential move even more intriguing, although he will cost a significant amount of money to prise away from North London.

FootballTransfers value the defender at £53m, a fee that would feel a little cheap given his quality and the fact he has three years left on his contract.

However, journalist Ben Jacobs has reported that if Spurs were to allow him to leave in the near future, then they would want a British transfer record for him, meaning it would be over £125m.

"Micky van de Ven is going nowhere, and Tottenham have a valuation on him at British transfer record levels," he said.

"So were he to depart Tottenham regardless of contract ticking down window upon window, Spurs would be expecting a British transfer record.

“But that is Tottenham’s valuation, and I don’t expect that to change in the final 11 days of the window, and it may well not change in the summer either. So Spurs are really calm about the situation."

Mickey van de Ven is the perfect Ibrahima Konate replacement

It seems inevitable that Ibrahima Konate is going to depart in the summer on a free transfer, so if there is any player to make the transition feel seamless, it it van de Ven.

The Dutchman plays the sweeper role just like Konate, with his added pace only something that will help Liverpool and suit their style of play even more.

His ability to carry the ball forward is also something that not many can do to great effect, highlighting how they need to try and get a deal done.

Of course, signing him for a British record is not smart at all, but with his contract ticking down and Spurs not wanting to lose him for very little, a compromise can surely be found.

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