Tottenham Hotspur are preparing to open formal discussions with Micky van de Ven over a new long-term contract, in what could become one of the most significant pieces of business of their summer. According to TeamTalk, there is growing belief inside the club that the Dutch defender can now be convinced to stay, despite earlier indications that he wanted to leave.
That change in mood is notable. Van de Ven had previously signalled that he was “not interested in discussing fresh terms” and had been “targeting a move away this summer”. For a period, Tottenham appeared to be bracing themselves for a major test, particularly amid reports that the centre-back was “leaning towards a move to Liverpool over Manchester United”. Spurs, for their part, had placed a substantial valuation on the player.
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De Zerbi Impact Changes Tottenham Picture
The key development has been the arrival of Roberto De Zerbi and the dramatic shift that has followed. The report states that “the landscape at Tottenham has changed dramatically following Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival”, with the Italian quickly reshaping the atmosphere and direction of the club.
It is easy to see why confidence has grown. Tottenham have moved aggressively in the market, already spending more than £225 million on Sandro Tonali, Mateus Fernandes, Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson. TeamTalk also reports that a £60 million move for Savinho is close, while the club remain in the market for a striker.
Sources cited in the report say Spurs believe “the transformation under De Zerbi has significantly altered Van de Ven’s thinking”. There has also been “encouraging communication with the player’s representatives during the summer”, enough for Tottenham to begin planning formal negotiations.
Leadership Role Could Prove Crucial
One of the more interesting aspects of this situation is the role Spurs may be ready to offer Van de Ven within the squad. Tottenham’s…
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