Tottenham 'very reluctant' to accept Micky Van de Ven offer amid Liverpool 'interest'

Micky van de Ven could yet remain at Tottenham Hotspur beyond the end of the season after Roberto De Zerbi's new plan.

The 25-year-old has been widely expected to leave Spurs this summer after what was a terrible season in which they narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League.

A number of top clubs across Europe and the Premier League have been keeping tabs on his situation and had been hopeful of luring him away when the window opens.

However, former Spurs scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that De Zerbi will block any exit for Van de Ven as he hopes to build his squad around him going forward.

The new manager is putting ambitious plans in place, with Tottenham now accelerating their transfer plans, and the Netherlands international is seen as a key asset.

Could Tottenham keep Micky van de Ven?

Brown told Football Insider earlier this year that Tottenham will hold talks with Van de Ven over his future, with the offer of a new contract potenitally on the table.

Those talks have failed to make progress, and it is considered unlikely the defender will sign a new deal, but the club remain hopeful of holding on to him.

His current contract is set to run until 2029, placing Spurs in a strong position, and De Zerbi is now working to convince him of his long-term project.

"It's difficult with Van de Ven," Brown told Football Insider.

"Everybody knows what he brings to the team, he's got blistering pace which means he can recover and make these last-ditch challenges, and that can be so important.

"That's why there's a lot of interest in him, there's been talk about Liverpool and others, so he could be tempted to move on.

"From Tottenham's point of view, with De Zerbi coming in, there will be some hope that they can convince him to stay.

"The new manager wants to build around him, he wants him to be part of his team and the project he's putting in place.

"He can work with him to iron out some of the issues in his game, if he can contain that pace for the right moments and not go marauding up the pitch, for example.

"He will hope to have the chance to do that, so that means blocking any possible exit for now, and trying to convince him that staying could still be an option.

"It may be difficult, and we'll see where it goes, but from a Spurs point of view they are going to be very reluctant to lose him."

Which clubs are interested in signing Van de Ven?

Despite Tottenham's plans to keep Van de Ven around beyond the summer transfer window, that might be a very tough ask given the level of interest.

Clubs both in the Premier League and across Europe have been keeping a close eye on his situation as a result of another miserable season for Tottenham.

Football Insider revealed last month that Liverpool are in pursuit of Van de Ven and see him as a potential successfor for Virgil van Dijk.

Van Dijk, 34, is nearing the end of his career at Anfield and while they are in no immediate rush to move him on, long-term options are now being assessed.

His fellow countryman is seen as the leading candidate in that position, having proven himself with Spurs, and they could move quickly in an attempt to land him.