Why LFC decided against centre-back transfer despite Schmadtke having worked with target – report

Credit for landing Alexis Mac Allister has to go to Liverpool's departed sporting director, Julian Ward. Jorg Schmadtke will have a big say on the bulk of their remaining business though - (Photo by Ronny Hartmann / AFP) (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

Liverpool have reportedly decided to end their pursuit of Wolfsburg’s Micky van de Ven after Jorg Schmadtke and Jurgen Klopp came to an agreement that a transfer would come too early in the defender’s career.

This comes courtesy of Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung, with the decision being reached despite the club’s new sporting director having already shared a working relationship with the Dutchman.

That may not necessarily be a huge blow for the player given Tottenham’s well-documented interest, theoretically leaving one door open to a Premier League move should he desire it.

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With quality left-footed centre-halves in short supply in world football, one might have thought this would be one transfer that would make sense – especially given the likely astronomical price-tag that will be slapped on the backs of talents like Levi Colwill.

At 22 years of age, Van de Ven doesn’t appear too young for a switch to the English top-flight, though it’s entirely possible his footballing maturity has yet to develop to the desired level favoured by our recruitment team.

It’s a shame we can’t capitalise on Schmadtke’s prior relationship with Wolfsburg here, though the club certainly has history when it comes to risk-taking (or a lack of) in the market.

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