Tottenham may face a battle to keep hold of star defender Micky van de Ven this summer. That's according to Spanish media reports, suggesting the player is "desperate to leave" the North London club.
Barcelona are reportedly on the hunt for a high-profile defensive signing. Catalan daily Sport has named Inter Milan's Alessandro Bastoni as their primary target, but they're also monitoring Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace and Borussia Dortmund's Nico Schlotterbeck. However, Barcelona are reluctant to meet Inter's alleged £69million asking price for Bastoni. This has led them to consider Van de Ven, with Sport claiming the Dutchman is keen on a move away from Spurs this summer. Interestingly, the same report suggests Van de Ven "would be delighted to wear the Barca colours." Any rumours of the Netherlands international wanting to depart Tottenham seem baseless, hinting at potential string-pulling behind the scenes.
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While Van de Ven's stint at Spurs hasn't been the string of success some might have hoped for, it's far from a flop. After his transfer from Wolfsburg for an initial fee of £34.5million in the summer of 2023, the Dutchman quickly established himself as a key figure in defence.
Van de Ven, who recently had a run-in with Spurs fans following defeat at Bournemouth, was crowned Tottenham's Player of the Season in his debut English campaign. He then played a crucial role in helping the club clinch Europa League glory in his second season.
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Thomas Frank's side continue to underperform in the Premier League and have already exited the League Cup. However, they've shown potential in Europe and are vying for an automatic spot in the Champions League's last 16, currently sitting above Barca in the group standings.
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Despite Tottenham's less-than-stellar defensive record, the centre-back duo of Van de Ven and Cristian Romero has won many plaudits. Yet it's possible Spurs may find it challenging to keep Van de Ven - who has previously been linked with Real Madrid - focused if a giant like Barcelona shows interest.
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That said, there's scant evidence to suggest the player is actively seeking a move, especially not as early as this summer. The 24-year-old's contract is set to run until the summer of 2028, meaning Tottenham are under no immediate pressure to sell unless the player agitates for a transfer.
There's also the question of whether Barcelona could afford the transfer fee. While Van de Ven may have joined Spurs for a little under £40m, the north London club would undoubtedly demand a significantly higher sum to part ways with him now.
As Barcelona continue with their expensive Camp Nou refurbishments, there may also be doubts about whether they can afford to make such a deal. The club's financial situation has been a hot topic in recent years, and signing Van de Ven could stretch their budget further than they're prepared to go.
The allure of a tall, powerful, left-footed defender who has consistently topped the Premier League's speed charts is clear. However, reports from the Spanish media suggesting Van de Ven is eager for a move to Catalonia may not be as straightforward as they seem.