Tottenham face paying a huge extra fee for Micky van de Ven if their successful run of form continues this season under Ange Postecoglou. The north London outfit are top of the Premier League and remain unbeaten despite selling their all-time record goalscorer Harry Kane in the summer transfer window, with Postecoglou’s summer arrivals all settling in quickly – and Van de Ven has been one of their standout performers at the back.
The Dutchman signed in a deal worth £43million from Wolfsburg in July after a stellar season in the Bundesliga last year, with Spurs acting quickly to wrap up the deal as one of Postecoglou’s top targets. It has proved to be a shrewd piece of business, with Van de Ven already popular amongst the fanbase after scoring the winner in the 1-0 victory over Luton Town.
Spurs have been backed to launch a genuine top-four challenge this season and perhaps compete for the title after their fine start. And if Van de Ven is successful in helping them qualify for the Champions League, his new club will have to cough up a massive amount to pay to Wolfsburg.
According to an item in German newspaper SportBILD, via Sport Witness, chairman Daniel Levy agreed to insert a clause which specified Spurs would pay £8.6m (€10m) if they qualify for the newly-formatted 2024-25 Champions League group stage. That looks to be a possibility, with five English teams potentially entering the competition.
Levy may not mind forking out for the payment, especially as it would have already been budgeted for as part of the £43m deal with £34m paid up front, but also because Van de Ven is already making waves for his new club.
The 22-year-old has since started all of their eight Premier League matches under the Australian and has proved to be a solid figure in the backline alongside Cristian Romero. His poise on the ball allows him to begin passing moves from the back and the towering centre-back is strong in the tackle too, making him well-equipped for the rigours of the English top flight.
Most of the attention has gone to James Maddison, their £40m signing from relegated Leicester City, after the England international’s superb return of two goals and five assists in eight appearances this season. But former footballer Darren Ambrose believes Van de Ven has been the most impressive player for Spurs this season.
“Van de Ven has impressed me more than anyone because not only has he come in and shown how good he is – he’s quick, strong, and reads the game well,” Ambrose said on talkSPORT.
“Romero seems a different player because he’s got a partner next to him on a level with him now, he trusts him, and they’ve got that partnership built up.”
Tottenham will be hoping their crown jewel will keep up his impressive performances when they return from the international break, as Van de Ven has been on duty with the Netherlands.
Postecoglou’s men face Fulham in a London derby at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and a win could see them move three points clear of Arsenal if they lose to Chelsea on Saturday.
