Ange Postecoglou and Tottenham could be about to make their first transfer move towards strengthening a priority position in the summer market. Shipping a total of 63 goals in the Premier League last term, Spurs knew that a major upgrade at centre-back was essential in order to get the club back on the rise once again.
Needing to bring in a couple of centre-backs and also move a handful on as part of the much-needed changes taking place under Postecoglou, Spurs have a strong interest in Micky van de Ven from Wolfsburg. Joining the Bundesliga side from Volendam two years ago, the 22-year-old has earned rave reviews in Germany and has come to the attention of Premier League clubs in the process.
Tottenham really like the highly-rated centre-back and discussions have taken place regarding a transfer but there is no official agreement between the clubs at present. After making 36 appearances in all competitions for Wolfsburg last campaign, Van de Ven wore the captain's armband for Netherlands at the ongoing UEFA European Under-21 Championship but he could not stop them from exiting at the group stage following three draws.
Always going to be on the lookout for a left-sided centre-back this summer to ensure that Tottenham have balance in such a key area of the pitch, the exciting prospect ticks a number of boxes for Postecoglou. Not only a very impressive defender, the Wormer-born player is excellent on the ball and has the passing qualities and ability to bring the ball out from the back that is required to make him a huge success in the Australian's team.
Van de Ven has been dubbed as "lightning-fast" and his pace will also be crucial with Tottenham set to play a high backline in the new head coach's system. The fact he also captained his country at the U21 Euros for their 1-1 draw vs Georgia highlights that he is a leader, which is something Postecoglou needs this summer with Tottenham not exactly blessed with many in their squad.
In an interview with Wolfsburg after making the move to the Volkswagen Arena in August 2021, he discussed his leadership qualities and what he wants to demonstrate to the team. "To be a leader, I think," he explained. "From the back, I want to be a leader, I want to - yeah I want to give the signal every time to the team to play - nobody is going to go through the defence with the player you play - and yeah, I'm ready for that."
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Likened to Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk due to the qualities he possesses, the potential Tottenham summer signing has come in for plenty of praise in the past. Wolfsburg manager Niko Kovac was one of those to wax lyrical about his "extraordinary" defender.
“Micky is a great boy [and] a really good footballer. What he's showing at the moment is extraordinary," he said (via Bundesliga.com).
Speaking in March, the Wolfsburg boss predicted that the player would attract interest from big clubs if he continued to progress. "I think that he has the opportunity here at VfL [Wolfsburg] to do it for another two or three years and then big clubs will certainly ask if he continues to perform so well."
Tottenham will be signing a player with "huge potential" in Van de Ven, as pointed out by Marcel Schafer, Wolfsburg's managing director for sport.
“Left foot, extreme speed, plays every second. Micky [has performed] consistently very well throughout the season," he said, as reported by Bundesliga.com. "He’s a player with huge potential and this season in particular has shown incredible development, playing himself into the spotlight with his performances.”
The spotlight will continue to shine on Van de Ven if he does indeed join Tottenham this summer and his "incredible development" goes from strength to strength. Possessing all the tools needed to thrive under Postecoglou, the Dutchman could have a major role to play over the course of the 2023/24 season and beyond if Tottenham manage to secure his signature.
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