Football transfer rumours: Spurs to win race for Wolfsburg’s Van de Ven?
Tottenham haven’t beaten many of their “big six” rivals at or to anything in recent times but latest soundings are that they’re going to pip Liverpool to the signature of Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven. The 22-year-old Dutch defender has been courted by Jürgen Klopp for much of the close season but it looks as if he’s set to embrace Big Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs rebuilding project instead. Van de Ven will set Tottenham back a modest £30m. Tottenham also want to secure a three-year deal for Clément Lenglet, who was on loan with them from Barcelona last term.
Liverpool may have fallen back in the Van de Ven race but they have apparently moved ahead of Chelsea in the tussle to sign Roméo Lavia from Southampton. The 19-year-old midfielder is set to move on from St Mary’s after Saints’ relegation and is valued at £50m. Chelsea have other Southampton options in mind, though, and are reportedly well placed to bring Tino Livramento back to Stamford Bridge. Southampton value the 20-year-old right-back at £38m though, and Newcastle are also sniffing around.
While we’re on the subject of Chelsea – and when are we not during transfer window time? – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang could be exiting the Bridge for Saudi Arabia to join LIV golf Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq. The Liverpool legend’s exciting youthful project has also been linked with another Anfield stalwart, Jordan Henderson. Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mané have also been linked with the Saudi club because, well, that’s just how the world works now.
Not all Saudi money is going into clubs in their own country of course, and Newcastle, in addition to the aforementioned interest in Livramento, also plan to sign Kalvin Phillips as well as Conor Gallagher. Eddie Howe wants to bolster his
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