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Micky van de Ven was brought off in the closing stages of the Netherlands’ clash with Serbia last night after suffering an injury to his finger.

The Tottenham Hotspur captain felt the weight of Luka Jovic landing on his left arm after the pair were challenging for a ball in the dying embers of the Nations League tie, which led to Van de Ven being withdrawn.

Van de Ven sparks injury concerns for Spurs

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Van de Ven was in visible pain with his left hand, prompting treatment from the medical staff before they decided it was best he came off altogether.

When pressed on the defender’s condition post-match, Xavi Hernandez said: “He’s okay. He felt dizzy because he suffered (an injury) in the finger. It’s not a big injury.”

Still, it’s one that Roberto De Zerbi will have to keep an eye on ahead of his side’s trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United this Saturday.

Last week, Van de Ven’s club and international teammate Jan Paul van Hecke had to leave the Netherlands camp after he sustained an injury of his own.

As well as Van de Ven: What happened to Van Hecke?

(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The former Brighton and Hove Albion man had his foot stepped on during his nation’s previous encounter with Serbia last Sunday.

It was subsequently decided that Van Hecke should report back to Tottenham so that they could assess his problem and potentially have him undergo scans.

As things stand, it remains to be seen if the two centre-backs will recover in time to feature against the Red Devils this weekend.

United are also navigating fitness concerns themselves; Benjamin Sesko missed the draw with Fulham prior to the break, Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo pulled out of the England squad, and Patrick Dorgu was sent home from the Denmark camp after he suffered a non-contact issue.

During his interview with The Athletic, Antonio Conte looked back to his time at Tottenham and Chelsea, insisting he won the 2016-17 Premier League title with the Blues ‘as underdogs’ and revealing the one thing at Spurs that drove him ‘mad.’

Conte reflected on his time in England as the coach of Chelsea and Arsenal during an interview with The Athletic.

The Italian tactician, who left Napoli after two years at the Stadio Maradona last summer, had coached Chelsea from 2016 to 2018 and Tottenham from 2021 to 2023.

He was the last coach to win the Premier League title at Chelsea in 2016-17. In the following campaign, his last at Stamford Bridge, he secured one more domestic title by winning the FA Cup.

“That was a Premier League title we won as underdogs,” Conte said.

“We hadn’t made any big signings. We signed (centre-back) David Luiz, (left-back Marcos) Alonso and (midfielder N’Golo) Kante — the club asked me 10 times if I was sure about him. He wasn’t the typical Chelsea player: tall and handsome. He was the sort of bloke who, when you saw him, was just… well, when I first saw him, I had a few doubts myself about his physicality (laughs), but I was so convinced he was a top player.”

After his two-year spell at Chelsea, Conte coached Inter from 2019 to 2021, won the Scudetto in 2020-21 and then moved to Tottenham, replacing Nuno Espírito Santo in November 2021.

Tottenham qualified for the Champions League that season, but Spurs were never genuine title contenders during Conte’s reign, which ended in March 2023.

“The thing that drove me mad was hearing people around me saying,’ Tottenham are never going to win anything’. That they’re losers,” Conte said.

“They [Tottenham] were made fun of. They’re still being made fun of. Even now. Arsenal lost 3-0 to Brighton and they were joking, ‘Arsenal have turned into Tottenham’, get it? Believe me, this irritated me a lot.

“I remember we weren’t winning or we’d drawn a game and I sent Daniel Levy a message,” he added.

“He came back to me: ‘Don’t worry, we’ll win the next one.’

“‘What the…?’ I kept saying to him, ‘Look!’

“I went to Tottenham with the ambition to turn things round a bit,” Conte concluded.

“Partly because (managing director of football and former Juventus colleague Fabio) Paratici was there. When I arrived, they were ninth. We finished fourth, overtaking Arsenal.”

Conte also dropped hints about his future, revealing that he would be open to taking on a new role during the season “if it’s worth it.”

Kaoru Mitoma could become one of the more interesting free-agent stories of 2027, with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur both keeping tabs on the Brighton winger as his contract moves into its final months.

The 29-year-old is tied to Brighton until June 2027, but talks over a new deal have stalled.

That has naturally put several clubs on alert, especially with the possibility of a cut-price January move or a free transfer next summer beginning to look more realistic.

Liverpool and Tottenham tracking Mitoma situation

According to TEAMtalk, Mitoma’s future at the Amex is increasingly uncertain, with little progress made over an extension.

Tottenham’s interest is easy to understand because Roberto De Zerbi already knows the Japan international extremely well from their time together at Brighton.

He helped get the best out of Mitoma and would surely welcome the chance to work with him again in north London.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have reportedly followed Mitoma for years, dating back to before he made the move from Kawasaki Frontale to Brighton.

TEAMtalk also reports that several Champions League clubs have made enquiries, while Bayern Munich have shown interest in previous windows.

A free transfer would make Mitoma very difficult to ignore

Brighton confirmed back in 2023 that Mitoma’s current deal runs until June 2027, which means the clock is now starting to work against them.

The club’s original contract announcement remains the clearest confirmation of his contract length.

From Liverpool’s point of view, Mitoma would be an intriguing option. He knows the Premier League, is comfortable on the left and offers the kind of direct dribbling that can change a game quickly.

For Spurs, the De Zerbi connection could be a real advantage, especially if Mitoma values familiarity in his next move.

The one obvious concern is fitness. A hamstring injury ended his 2025/26 season and ruled him out of the World Cup, so interested clubs will want to see how well he returns before making a serious commitment.

Still, if Brighton cannot agree fresh terms, Mitoma may become too good a market opportunity for either Liverpool or Tottenham to ignore.

Micky van de Ven faced criticism in the Netherlands after three games at left-back, with Valentijn Driessen saying his poor display against Greece was 'not an isolated incident'.

Tottenham loanee Yang Min-Hyeok set up South Korea's winner in a 1-0 Asian Games final win over Japan, earning gold and giving Spurs a timely marker of his development.

Tottenham Hotspur could make a surprise move for Mauro Icardi, with Roberto De Zerbi reportedly keen on bringing the experienced striker to North London.

The Argentine forward remains available as a free agent after leaving Galatasaray, and his availability could make him an appealing short-term option for Spurs. De Zerbi is reportedly looking for solutions to his side’s lack of goals, with Tottenham struggling to find consistency in the final third.

Mauro Icardi attracts Tottenham interest

According to reports from Spain, De Zerbi has identified Icardi as a potential solution to Tottenham’s attacking problems. The 33-year-old has built a reputation as a natural goalscorer during an impressive career that has included spells with Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Galatasaray.

Icardi may no longer be at the peak of his powers, but his finishing ability could still make him a useful addition to the Tottenham squad. He scored 16 goals for Galatasaray across all competitions last season, including 14 in the Turkish Super Lig.

Spurs have had a difficult start in front of goal, with their attackers struggling to find the net consistently. That could encourage the club to explore an experienced option outside the traditional transfer window.

Icardi could be a handy option

A move to Tottenham would give Icardi an opportunity to return to one of Europe’s top leagues, while Spurs could acquire a proven striker without paying a transfer fee.

However, there is no indication that Tottenham have made a formal offer for the Argentine yet. Reports suggest the club previously considered signing him but decided against it at that stage.

Everton have also shown interest in Icardi, meaning Tottenham could face competition if they decide to revive their pursuit.

It remains to be seen whether De Zerbi can convince the Spurs hierarchy to make a move. For now, Icardi remains an intriguing option as Tottenham assess their attacking needs.

Barcelona have joined Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the race to sign Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi.

The 20-year-old French forward has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young attackers, and his performances have naturally attracted interest from some of Europe’s biggest clubs. Barcelona are now keeping a close eye on his situation as they consider their options.

Eli Junior Kroupi attracts Barcelona interest

According to reports from Spain, Barcelona have already explored signing Kroupi and remain interested despite his recent injury setback. The Catalan giants made two offers for the forward in the summer, but Bournemouth rejected both.

Kroupi suffered a fracture to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot during pre-season and underwent surgery in July. He has been sidelined since then, although he is expected to return around early November.

The injury has not changed Barcelona’s opinion of the youngster. His breakthrough campaign in England last season saw him score 13 goals in 33 Premier League appearances, underlining his quality in front of goal and his potential to develop into a top-level forward.

Arsenal and Tottenham eye Kroupi

Barcelona could face strong competition from the Premier League, however. Arsenal and Tottenham are both monitoring the Frenchman and could consider making a move if he returns from injury and quickly rediscovers his best form.

Kroupi could be an attractive option for Arsenal as they look to maintain quality and depth in attack, while Tottenham could view him as useful competition for Dominic Solanke.

Bournemouth, though, are in a strong negotiating position. Kroupi is contracted until 2030, and the Cherries are reportedly looking for between €90 million and €100 million for their prized asset.

Barcelona may therefore wait until 2027 before making another serious attempt, but a strong return from injury could spark a major transfer battle for the highly rated youngster.

Chelsea are reportedly keeping a close eye on Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni as they continue to assess some of Europe’s most exciting young attacking talents.

The Argentine has enjoyed a significant rise since moving to Portugal, and his impressive start to the current campaign has once again brought him onto the radar of several Premier League clubs.

Gianluca Prestianni attracts Chelsea interest

Chelsea are understood to have been monitoring Prestianni’s progress alongside several domestic rivals, with Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Newcastle United and Brighton also keeping tabs on the youngster, according to TEAMtalk.

The 20-year-old was already regarded as one of South America’s brightest prospects during his time with Velez Sarsfield, which helped convince Benfica to bring him to Europe in 2024.

His development in Portugal has now attracted serious attention from English clubs, with his performances suggesting he could eventually be ready for a move to a more competitive league.

Prestianni has taken another step forward this season and has established himself as an increasingly important attacking player for Benfica. His pace, creativity, and ability to operate in different attacking positions have made him an attractive option for clubs seeking long-term additions.

Chelsea face competition for Prestianni

Benfica are aware of the growing interest and are keen to protect their position by discussing a new long-term contract with the Argentina international.

There is currently no indication that Chelsea are preparing a formal offer, with their interest understood to remain at the monitoring stage.

However, that could change if Prestianni continues his impressive development. His performances are likely to attract even more attention in the coming months, potentially sparking a competitive transfer race.

Chelsea have a strong reputation for investing in young players, and Prestianni could therefore emerge as an intriguing option if the Blues decide to strengthen their attacking ranks in a future transfer window.

Bayern Munich centre-back Kim Min-jae is a Tottenham target, and a reported offer of £30m could be enough to prise him away. That figure is not a confirmed official asking price, and Aston Villa and AC Milan are also exploring a deal.

What Bayern could accept for Kim

Spurs Web reported on 3 October 2026 that Bayern would consider selling if the right offer arrived, citing a report from TEAMtalk. The Spurs Web account says TEAMtalk put the figure at £30m, while also stressing that no contacts are advanced.

The same report says Christian Falk confirmed Tottenham had their eye on the South Korean defender and had contacted his camp during the summer. It is a link worth noting, but it remains a reported approach rather than evidence of a bid or an agreement with Bayern.

Kim, 29, is an experienced former Napoli defender, but Spurs Web says game time has been hard to come by in Munich. Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah have established themselves as Vincent Kompany’s first-choice centre-back pairing, while Kim is reportedly content with his squad role and willing to stay.

Competition and timing remain the obstacles

The £30m claim is not the only valuation in circulation. The Hard Tackle, citing Spanish outlet SPORT, separately reported that Bayern would seek around €40m. That is a different reported figure from TEAMtalk’s £30m, not a conversion or confirmation of a formal Bayern price.

Tottenham have set their sights on Kim, but another centre-back would need to make sense alongside the club’s other priorities. The Hard Tackle argues that Spurs have already added multiple centre-backs and have more urgent needs after a sluggish start to 2026/27; that is its assessment, not a confirmed explanation of Tottenham’s transfer plans.

Aston Villa and AC Milan are also exploring a deal, according to the Spurs Web report. It adds that Kim’s camp turned down tentative summer enquiries from Villa and Nottingham Forest, and that a January departure is considered unlikely, with next summer seen as more realistic.

A reported price is not a transfer plan

Even if £30m proved enough for Bayern, the player’s willingness to leave matters. The report says Kim is happy in Munich, so Tottenham cannot treat the valuation as a green light for a January move.

For Spurs, the question is not simply whether an established defender is available at that price, but whether he is the right use of the budget. No bid is reported, and a later window appears more plausible than January. Bayern’s eventual position, and Kim’s own decision, will determine whether this becomes anything more than another name on the list.

Vinai Venkatesham backed Roberto De Zerbi despite Spurs taking two points from five games and sitting bottom, saying summer changes need time and results must earn supporters' belief.

Tottenham are not set to prioritise a new centre-back in January despite links with Kim Min-jae, with De Zerbi satisfied by Micky van de Ven, Jan-Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Tosin.

Tottenham retain interest in Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis, who reportedly wants a Premier League move, after scouting him, with his future open if Benfica soften their stance.

Tottenham will not entertain selling captain Micky van de Ven, despite Liverpool interest, with the Dutch defender tied to Spurs until 2031 after signing a new deal in August.

Sandro Tonali's agent said Tottenham's recovery and De Zerbi's pitch that Spurs needed him as a leader helped secure his reported £100m move despite Manchester City interest.

Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham from Newcastle in a reported £100m move, with his agent saying Spurs’ recovery and Roberto De Zerbi’s leadership pitch helped sway him despite Manchester City interest.

In a report published on Friday 2 October, Spurs-Web said Giuseppe Riso had explained why the 26-year-old chose Tottenham after the club narrowly avoided relegation. The outlet described Tonali as the club’s most expensive signing and highest earner; it attributed Riso’s remarks to TuttoMercatoWeb. The Manchester City interest in Tonali provides the transfer-race backdrop, though the report does not set out a detailed bidding contest.

Why Tottenham’s recovery mattered

Tonali arrived from Newcastle with a substantial reputation and an equally substantial price tag. Riso’s account presents Tottenham’s survival as a turning point: after a difficult season, the club showed it was making different and courageous choices.

That message was paired with a direct role for the midfielder. Riso said De Zerbi told Tonali that Spurs needed him as a leader, and that their relationship carried significant weight. The personal appeal, then, was not separate from the club’s renewed direction; it helped make that direction credible to the player.

De Zerbi’s pitch and the £100m fee

Tottenham’s £100m price tag makes this more than a routine vote of confidence in a new project. The report links Tonali with Manchester City but does not establish that Spurs outbid them or provide a sequence of rival offers. The safest conclusion is narrower: Spurs completed a costly signing while City were among the clubs linked with the midfielder.

Riso’s explanation also offers a useful companion to Tonali’s decision to join Spurs: the agent places De Zerbi’s personal influence alongside Tottenham’s changing approach. It remains a compelling account of why the move happened, rather than proof that the signing has already worked.

Tonali still has to settle

The report notes that Tonali has faced criticism after a slow start, including Chris Waddle’s assessment that he had looked average. De Zerbi, by contrast, has backed the midfielder’s effort and said adapting to a new city and environment can take time; he also felt Tonali had played well against Everton.

That patience matters, but it does not make the early scrutiny disappear. The agent’s story explains the attraction of Tottenham’s project and De Zerbi’s role in it. Tonali still has to turn that belief into performances that justify a £100m fee, while De Zerbi’s midfield plans take shape.