Liverpool have run for years on diligence and intelligence within the switch market, at all times a step forward of their rivals. It has paid off. Throughout the previous decade, the Reds have gained the Champions League, two Premier League titles, and plenty of extra trophies in addition to.
However we really feel a way away from that thrilling stage of success in the intervening time, with Arne Slot and his facet within the trenches after a dismal post-title yr.
Tips on how to transfer ahead? Properly, FSG imagine that change is the important thing. Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson each depart this summer time, and up to date information has emerged concerning Ibrahima Konate‘s future too.
The French centre-back seems to have performed his final sport for the Merseysiders, set to go away when his contract expires in a single month. It goes with out saying that he wants changing.
Liverpool plotting bid for Konate substitute
Liverpool have signed Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes in a £60m deal. He arrives this summer time, billed as a prospect with “top-five centre-back on this planet potential” by analyst Ben Mattinson.
Final weekend, Virgil van Dijk sat, dejected, staring out on the Anfield crowd. It was a tricky season, and he shouldered a lot of the burden, talking repeatedly to the media and making an attempt to make sense of Liverpool’s staggering drop-off.
Jacquet is a proficient centre-half, however Liverpool want extra, and sporting director Richard Hughes is main the cost with that one, planning to signal one of many Premier League’s most distinguished centre-backs.
Based on Sports activities Increase, Liverpool are weighing up a bid for Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven, who is keen to go away north London after serving to his facet stave off relegation from the Premier League.
Van de Ven, 25, is valued at £90m, and it ought to go with out saying that Spurs will play hardball of their efforts to maintain onto a participant considered as their star man.
Why Van de Ven can be Liverpool’s dream Konate substitute
When you suppose Liverpool have had a poor season, penny for Tottenham’s ideas. After all, it is all relative, and for the Reds to have flirted with Europa League soccer is as poor as it may be.
However Van de Ven has the standard to make an actual distinction in Slot’s squad, having been described as a “monster” by soccer reporter Elliot Jackson for his athleticism and physicality on the again.
Uncommon is the Netherlands worldwide’s skill to mix crunching defending with an agility and robustness that merely does not conform to defensive conventions. Absolutely it is a prancing winger in a muscled 6 foot 4 physique.
|
Micky van de Ven within the Premier League |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Stats (* per 90) |
24/25 |
25/26 |
|
Matches (begins) |
13 (12) |
35 (35) |
|
Targets + Assists |
0 + 2 |
4 + 1 |
|
Touches* |
70.5 |
61.3 |
|
Correct passes* |
55.8 (91%) |
45.7 (90%) |
|
Probabilities created* |
0.2 |
0.2 |
|
Possession misplaced* |
6.7 |
5.8 |
|
Succ. dribbles* |
0.3 (50%) |
0.3 (73%) |
|
Ball recoveries* |
4.8 |
3.5 |
|
Tackles + interceptions* |
1.6 |
1.7 |
|
Floor duels gained* |
1.8 (48%) |
2.1 (61%) |
|
Aerial duels gained* |
1.5 (49%) |
1.3 (47%) |
Konate has been a rock in Liverpool’s defence over the previous 5 years, however rocks might be damaged, and he has struggled all through the 2025/26 season, very a lot on the epicentre of his facet’s decline. Errors have been rife, and he has misplaced the sureness that helped Liverpool to the Premier League title final yr.
Van de Ven clearly hasn’t been excellent himself, however he has been unlucky in that he has been caught on the coronary heart of a, frankly, unimaginable Spurs decline.
He is nonetheless stood out. Tottenham’s defence may need been porous over the previous few years, nevertheless it’s curious that Van de Ven and Cristian Romero have stood out because the mainstays, the principle males. Those who’ve been keen to dig in and pull their membership away from catastrophe. Liverpool might do with that, for Van Dijk is getting previous and Konate is leaving – the France star has struggled in any case this yr.
Van de Ven is the actual deal, and if Liverpool can kind out their imbalances underneath Slot, they may thrive with the Dutchman on the coronary heart of their defence, an ideal mix with Van Dijk, his inspiring countryman.
Wirtz will love him: Liverpool maintain talks to rent “elite” Slot substitute
Liverpool have to get extra out of their £116m playmaker subsequent season.

