Tottenham Hotspur could be facing a major battle to retain one of their most vital defensive assets, as reports from Spain suggest Barcelona have identified Micky van de Ven as a primary summer target.
According to reports from Catalan outlet Sport, the Dutch international is “desperate” to leave North London and would be “delighted” to join the Blaugrana.
While these claims have been met with skepticism in England, they highlight Barcelona‘s aggressive search for a marquee left-footed center-back to bolster Hansi Flick’s backline.
Barcelona’s Defensive Search
Barcelona’s pursuit comes as they look for more affordable alternatives to Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni, who carries a staggering £69 million price tag.
With financial constraints still looming over the Camp Nou renovations, Van de Ven has emerged as a high-value option. Other names on Barca’s radar reportedly include:
- Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace)
- Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund)
A Talismanic Figure at Spurs
Since his £34.5 million move from Wolfsburg in 2023, Van de Ven has become arguably Spurs’ most valuable asset.
Known for his record-breaking recovery speed and partnership with Cristian Romero, the 24-year-old was named the club’s Player of the Season in his debut year and helped secure Europa League silverware the following season.
Despite the rumors of unrest—fueled by a brief clash with fans after a recent defeat to Bournemouth—Van de Ven remains under contract until 2028.
This puts Spurs in a strong negotiating position, likely demanding a fee far exceeding the £40 million they initially paid.
Financial Hurdles and “Dark Arts”
There is a growing sense among those close to the club that these Spanish reports might be “dark arts” designed to unsettle the player.
Tottenham, currently under the management of Thomas Frank, are performing well on the European stage and sit above Barcelona in certain continental standings, making a move for purely sporting reasons less clear-cut.
Furthermore, it remains to be seen if Barcelona can officially register such a high-profile signing given their ongoing financial scrutiny.
For now, Van de Ven remains the pace-setting heart of the Spurs defense, but the interest from Catalonia is a story that isn’t going away.
