Sempre Barca

The centre-back is one of the positions FC Barcelona appear to be prioritising for reinforcement going forward. Following the departure of Inigo Martinez last summer, the Catalans are determined to bring in a left-footed defender who can be an undisputed starter alongside Pau Cubarsi and a long-term pillar at the back.

Barcelona’s sporting department has explored several high-profile options in recent months, including Alessandro Bastoni, Nico Schlotterbeck, and Marc Guehi, although the latter does not fit the left-footed profile the club ideally wants. Now, according to SPORT, a less obvious but increasingly attractive name has emerged on the Blaugrana shortlist.

That player is Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven. The Dutch international is keen to leave the London club this summer as he looks to take the next step in his career, and a move to Barcelona would be his preferred destination.

Internally, Barça view the signing of a centre back as a strategic operation and believe resources can be made available, especially if the chosen player prioritises the club despite strong market competition.

Van de Ven fits Barcelona’s sporting criteria well. At 24 years of age, he combines elite pace, strong ball-playing ability, and tactical versatility. In addition to his natural role as a left-sided centre back, he can also operate at left back, a trait that adds further value given Barça’s evolving defensive needs.

The Dutchman joined Tottenham in 2023 from Wolfsburg for €40 million after developing at Volendam and impressing in the Bundesliga. Since arriving in the Premier League, he has established himself as one of Spurs’ most reliable performers and is currently valued at around €65 million by Transfermarkt.

While Tottenham are traditionally difficult to negotiate with, reports from England suggest the player’s desire to leave is firm, and the club would prefer to sell him outside the Premier League, which could work in Barcelona’s favour.

Competition remains a major factor. Bastoni continues to be the dream target, but his price could exceed €80 million, and Chelsea’s interest further complicates that operation.

Schlotterbeck’s situation is also considered very complex, while Guehi is expected to remain in England. These circumstances have increased Van de Ven’s appeal as a realistic yet high-level alternative.

Adding to the narrative, Van de Ven recently revealed that his greatest footballing idol is Carles Puyol, praising the former Barça captain for his intensity and leadership.

His name is now firmly on the shortlist of FC Barcelona, pending market developments, and he could gain momentum as the club weighs ambition against financial reality in its search for a new defensive leader.

The winter window planning at FC Barcelona is being shaped by patience rather than pressure. With Andreas Christensen sidelined and central defence remaining the least covered area of the squad, the club is exploring the market without committing to an immediate move. The internal message is to stay alert while prioritising long term stability over short term fixes.

That strategy has led Barcelona to closely monitor a number of young defensive profiles who could fit into a broader rebuild. Deco and Hansi Flick are aligned on targeting centre-backs with personality, tactical intelligence, and significant room for growth. It is within that context that Luka Vuskovic has emerged as a name of interest.

The 18-year-old Croatian defender is currently enjoying a breakout season at Hamburg in the Bundesliga, where he is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur.

His progress has been tracked closely in Germany, and local reports have indicated that Barcelona are among the clubs following his development. The interest is exploratory rather than urgent, but it reflects how highly his profile is rated.

Vuskovic is under contract with Tottenham until 2030, having joined the Premier League club from Hajduk Split in 2023 for a fee of €11 million. Since then, his market value has risen sharply and is now estimated at €40 million. Despite that rise, his future remains uncertain, a point his father Daniel Vuskovic addressed directly.

Speaking to Sportske Novosti in comments cited by Mundo Deportivo, he said, “I don’t know if Tottenham only sees him as a future player or if they would be open to a transfer if a suitable offer came in.”

His remarks underline the reality that Spurs hold full control over any decision, regardless of outside interest.

Daniel Vuskovic also stressed that patience remains essential given his son’s age and current progress in Germany. “The goal is to play in the World Cup with Croatia,” he explained, adding that at this stage that requires “succeeding with Hamburg.” As a result, there is no intention to disrupt Luka’s momentum midway through the season.

The young defender has already established himself as a leader in Hamburg’s back line, and his comfort at the club is evident. There is also a strong personal motivation involved. “His biggest wish is to play with Mario,” his father confirmed, referring to Luka’s older brother, who is also a centre back and is currently suspended until November 2026.

For that family reunion on the pitch to happen, Luka would need to extend his loan spell, although that scenario is far from straightforward. In Germany, it is considered unlikely that Tottenham will agree to another loan, especially given the level of interest surrounding the player.

Daniel Vuskovic made it clear that any next step will be taken calmly and in coordination with Spurs. “What happens does not depend on Luka. He has a contract with Tottenham, and everything will be decided in consultation with them. But so far, everything has been as fair as possible; the Spurs have respected Luka’s opinion,” he said.

The immediate plan is already set. “We expect positive results from him in Hamburg over the next six months, and then we can calmly consider how to proceed. He will stay in Hamburg until June, and then we will meet with Tottenham to see what the best option is.”

He also expressed caution about accelerating his son’s career too quickly. “I don’t want him to skip development stages and go straight to the English Premier League, which I think is the strongest league in the world. Luka still has a lot of potential to develop. In my opinion, staying in Germany wouldn’t be bad. For Luka, the most important thing in 2026 is to continue training and working as he has been. After that, everything else will fall into place.”

That timeline aligns neatly with Barcelona’s own thinking. The club is not looking to disrupt its structure in January unless absolutely necessary. Instead, they are assessing whether a talent like Vuskovic could fit into a broader rebuild.

From a Barça perspective, the appeal is obvious. A left-sided, ball-playing centre-back with maturity beyond his years fits the profile the club has historically valued. But this is not about urgency or headlines. It is about timing and trust.

In many ways, Vuskovic represents the type of player that Barcelona can benefit from in the long run. Whether or not he eventually arrives at Camp Nou remains to be seen.

There is no denying the quality and experience within this current FC Barcelona squad. A unique mixture of proven veterans and aspiring youngsters, Hansi Flick has a strong squad at his disposal. However, even at Barcelona, things can get crowded at times.

Due to the overwhelming number of midfielders at the club right now, certain players might not get the opportunities they would ideally want to have. One such player is Marc Casado, and the young midfielder has been linked to an exit this summer as well.

Tottenham Hotspur enquired about Marc Casado

Interestingly, SPORT has recently revealed that even English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur enquired about the player this summer. This news comes after reports that have already linked fellow London-based club Chelsea and La Liga side Atletico Madrid to the 21-year-old Barcelona player, making Spurs yet another suitor that showed interest in the young player at some point this summer.

However, the report does clarify that Tottenham Hotspur is aware of the player’s desire to stay at the club. He reportedly does not wish to entertain other offers right now, and that is why the English club decided not to pursue his signing and opted for other options instead.

Casado insists on staying at Barcelona

For now, Casado’s desire remains to succeed at the Catalan club. The 21-year-old Barcelona player still believes he can help the team but it seems that he is not a prominent piece of the puzzle for Hansi Flick moving forward.