Wolfsburg centre-back Micky van de Ven has been one of the standout defenders in the Bundesliga this season.
With Virgil van Dijk struggling for form at Liverpool and Harry Maguire reportedly being on his way out of Manchester United, the Bundesliga defender could soon be the subject of a tense tug-of-war between some of the Premier League's biggest hitters.
It took a while for him to get going after making the step up from the Dutch second division, joining Wolfsburg for €3.5m from Volendam in 2021, but Van de Ven has been a revelation this season.
Playing every minute on offer so far, the Netherlands U21 international is the biggest reason why Wolfsburg boast the fifth-best defence in the Bundesliga. He is also an outstanding athlete - particularly for a central defender - becoming the third-fastest player in the league against Frankfurt.
The 21-year-old's performances have recently earned him an improved contract until 2027 with the Wolves, but that won't deter England's elite, especially given Wolfsburg's poor track record when it comes to selling at the right price.
The German outfit have failed to turn a profit on some of their best performers, like Xaver Schlager and Kevin Mbabu, in recent years, selling them for relatively cheap. Whether the new sporting leadership at the club will continue this poor business practice remains to be seen.
This could mean that Micky van de Ven would be a much cheaper alternative for sides looking for a centre-back compared to some of the big names being floated in the market, such as Kim Min-jae.
What's more, the Dutchman recently revealed that playing in the Premier League would be a "dream." Speaking to the German Press Agency, he said: "It was always a dream of mine to play in the Bundesliga. But playing in the Premier League is also a dream of mine."
While it may be premature to compare the 21-year-old to his compatriot Van Dijk, it has to be said that van de Ven is currently on course to become Europe's next defensive sensation.
An imperious and athletic left-sided centre-back - like Van Dijk - Van de Ven has seen his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) skyrocket, rising from €3.2m last August to an impressive €11.4m. That said, there are some differences between the two.
While both are adept at carrying the ball, the youngster is not yet as comfortable of a passer as Van Dijk. Plus, the style employed by Niko Kovac at Wolfsburg is very different to Liverpool's, with Van de Ven being tasked to be a ball-winner, rather than a ball-player like the Liverpool star.
It must also be borne in mind that this is the 21-year-old's first season of regular top-flight football, so there are questions about whether he is ready to make the step to the next level.
Nevertheless, Liverpool and Manchester United need defensive reinforcements in the summer, and Wolfsburg's Van de Ven looks like an ideal prospect for them to have on their books.
