Liverpool transfer news: Ideal Van de Ven swap opportunity arises as club demands record fee

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An encouraging Champions League win in Marseille has put Liverpool in a strong position as the January transfer deadline approaches. Arne Slot 's men are undefeated in 13 across all competitions but there's progress to be made after drawing their last four league games.

The Reds rallied to a 3-0 win at the Velodrome on Wednesday to all but guarantee a spot in the Champions League 's last 16. Their chances of qualifying for next year's competition are also on the rise after recently moving back into England's top four.

Liverpool have been slow to conduct business this winter, with no new major signings arriving at Anfield just yet. The only January signing thus far remains Senegalese youngster Mor Talla Ndiaye, who has joined the club for around £1million.

However, a rise in activity could still have a dramatic impact on how the rest of the season shapes up. And Mirror Football provides the latest headlines surrounding the club with little more than a week of the transfer window to go.

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The links between Liverpool and Tottenham talisman Micky van de Ven are on the rise as Slot targets defensive reinforcements . Manchester City have pipped the Merseysiders to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace after it looked as though he would move to Anfield on a free this summer.

With Virgil van Dijk's contract due to expire in around 18 months time and Ibrahima Konate potentially leaving for nothing this summer , Liverpool's back line is set for a period of transition. And Van de Ven has attracted plaudits as a natural successor following his impressive form in north London over the last two-and-a-half seasons.

Speculation suggests Van de Ven, 24, has distanced himself from negotiations over a contract extension at Spurs. As such, talkSPORT reported Tottenham have made a pre-emptive move by valuing their centre-back star at £100million.

The nine-figure fee would be the highest sum paid for a defender, far eclipsing the £80m figure that saw Harry Maguire join Manchester United from Leicester in 2019. Van Dijk himself held the record when he left Southampton for Liverpool as part of a £75m deal in 2018.

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And who better to set the new standard than his international compatriot, who has arisen as a Premier League powerhouse. Van de Ven's rare combination of elite-level speed and defensive nous has seen his stock skyrocket since completing a £43m move to Tottenham from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2023.

Signing a generational Dutch talent may also appeal to Slot, who will need to go big to replace Van Dijk at some point. Liverpool's coffers may be somewhat exhausted following £400m in transfer outlay in the summer, however, as yet another nine-figure deal presents itself.

One potential solution to reduce the cash cost of that deal could be to send Curtis Jones in the opposite direction. The Liverpool academy graduate has been linked with Spurs in the past and the capital club is said to be raising interest once more.

The Daily Mail reported Tottenham are keen on the 24-year-old despite their recent acquisition of Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid. It's believed Thomas Frank is keen on adding another offensive threat to his midfield and Jones could be available for the right sum.

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Their chances of landing the England international would improve considerably if it meant Van de Ven could move in the opposite direction. There's been no mention of how much Jones could leave for were he to leave, though Transfermarkt values the midfielder at just north of £30m.

It's worth noting the Liverpudlian, who has made 28 appearances this season and started in 17 of those games, recently entered the final 18 months of his contract. The Reds may therefore hope to agree a new deal with the player sooner rather than later, even if only to secure a higher fee in the event he is sold on.

For Jones' part, the player has expressed his desire to one day captain Liverpool and "stay there all his life." However, Tottenham's pursuit could present the Merseysiders with an opportunity to address a dire need that's too good to pass up.

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