Niko Kovac has already made Micky van de Ven transfer prediction as Liverpool links grow

Niko Kovac has already made Micky van de Ven transfer prediction as Liverpool links grow

Liverpool have become increasingly linked with Micky van de Ven from VfL Wolfsburg, a player Jorg Schmadtke signed for the German side

Wolfsburg manager Niko Kovac has previously stated big clubs will “certainly” monitor defender Micky van de Ven amid reports linking him with a move to Liverpool.

German news outlet WAZ has reported that the 22-year-old Dutchman is a candidate for the Reds recruitment staff. New Liverpool sporting director Jorg Schmadtke enjoyed a spell at the Volkswagen Arena and outlets are joining the dots suggesting he may go for the youngster.

The Reds were previously linked with a move for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol but it has been claimed that the price-tag for the Croatian is too high with Die Wolves centre-back acting as an alternative.

Speaking in March, Wolfsburg manager Kovac predicted that Van de Ven would attract interest from big clubs if he continued his progression. He said: “I think that he has the opportunity here at VfL to do it for another two or three years and then big clubs will certainly ask if he continues to perform so well.”

They narrowly missed out on European qualification in the Bundesliga as they slipped outside the top six in the closing stages of the season.

In March, the Dutch youngster penned a four-year deal in the Rhineland keeping him contracted with the German outfit until at least 2027. At the time of his extension, Marcel Schafer – Schmadtke’s successor – said: “We are pleased that Micky has extended his contract with us and that we can plan with him in the long term.

“He is a player with great potential who has taken a strong development, especially this season, and has played his way into the foreground with his performances.

“The fact that Micky has now signed in the long term shows that he wants to continue his path taken with us together with VfL Wolfsburg.”

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Jorg Schmadtke’s son could play unlikely role in Liverpool summer transfer plan

The son of Liverpool’s newly-appointed sporting director Jorg Schmadtke is reportedly set for a similar role at Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach.

Earlier this week, the Reds announced the veteran German as their short-term successor to Julian Ward. The 41-year-old vacated the role at Anfield less than 12 months after replacing the long-serving Michael Edwards in order to spend more time with his young family.

After signing on the dotted line on Merseyside this week, Schmadtke, 59, started work at the club’s AXA Training Centre on Thursday and will spend his summer months helping manager Jurgen Klopp’s side plot a return to the Champions League by adding key additions to the Reds’ ranks during the off-season.

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In terms of summer incomings, Liverpool are currently looking to strike a deal with Brighton and Hove Albion for World Cup-winning midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.

Meanwhile, OGC Nice’s Khephren Thuram and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Manu Kone have been linked with moves to Anfield by publications in France and Germany.

Now, however, it appears that the son of the former Bundesliga shot-stopper is set to land his own recruitment role in that league this summer. That’s according to the German publication Kicker, who claim Nils Schmadtke is set to be named in an “open” role as Monchengladbach’s latest sporting director.

The 34-year-old previously worked at Gladbach from April 2019 to May 2020 as a scout and prior to that had held the same role at 1. FC Koln. His last role within the game came at the same club as his father, VfL Wolfsburg.

Kicker adds: “It was no secret that Schmadtke was looking for a new challenge and saw his future at management level. At Arminia Bielefeld, he was considered one of the top candidates for the post of sports director but declined. In Gladbach, he will now help with the planned reorientation in the sporting area.”

Gladbach finished the Bundesliga season in 10th place and on Friday announced that they had parted ways with former Premier League manager Daniel Farke.

Should rumoured Liverpool interest in Kone be genuine, it could lead to the unlikely situation of Jorg Schmadtke trying to sign a player from the club where his son works.

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