Didi Hamann urges Liverpool to target two Tottenham players amid Micky van de Ven verdict

Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann says Arne Slot should target two Tottenham players in the summer amid persisting transfer speculation regarding Micky van de Ven

Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Liverpool has been told to sign Micky van de Ven from Tottenham this summer if Ibrahima Konate departs, with Jeremy Jacquet already having been lined up for the next transfer window.

Jacquet will arrive from Rennes for a fee of around $83 million (£60 million) including add-ons. But with Konate's contract situation still far from certain, the former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann says Van de Ven could be an astute addition too.

"We know in football how important pace is going forward, but also at the same time you need quick defenders, and the more fast ones you've got, the better," Hamann said.

"I think Micky van de Ven is one of the quickest, if not the quickest, in the Premier League. So, yeah, he'd certainly be one who's on the radar."

Hamann also picked out another Tottenham man to keep an eye on, albeit one who is currently out on loan.

"There's a player from Spurs at Hamburg now who's making huge waves, Luka Vuskovic, a Croatian guy, 18," the German, speaking to Thunderpick, added.

Micky van de Ven of Tottenham Hotspur(Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images)

"He leads the defense. They got a point against Bayern Munich last week. He scored, and he's on Tottenham's books.

"I think Ivan Rakitic came out and said he's such a good player, he should go to Bayern Munich, they should be signing him. But obviously, they can only sign him if Spurs let him go.

"So, I think the center-back position at Spurs will be very interesting what's happening in the summer because Van de Ven, the way he stood well here for Wolfsburg, I always liked him as a player.

"I think he's a player who strives to do better. I'm not sure whether he's too happy with the way things are going, I suppose, at the moment.

"You just have to wait and see. I think what will be important is that when a young player comes into a struggling side, it doesn't help him.

"Hopefully, in the summer, things will have settled down because it makes it a lot easier for a young player to come in and do what he does best. If Konate was to go, which is a possibility or maybe likely, I certainly think they need at least one more defender.”

Liverpool.com says: Van de Ven is a good player, but he would cost a fortune. His injury record isn't perfect and he plays on the same side as Virgil van Dijk. There are better options out there, including convincing Konate to stay.