Tottenham Hotspur look to have taken another big step toward locking down the long-term future of one of their key defenders, with reports claiming a verbal agreement has now been reached on a new contract.
BBC Sport, The Athletic and Fabrizio Romano all indicate that Netherlands international Micky van de Ven is closing in on committing his future to Spurs. BBC Sport report the defender has agreed a new five-year deal, while other outlets describe it as a long-term extension carrying improved terms. The paperwork isn’t signed yet, but the verbal agreement is said to already be in place, with an official announcement expected in due course. It mirrors the route taken with Pedro Porro’s recent extension, underlining Tottenham’s push to hold on to their most important players as Roberto De Zerbi continues rebuilding the squad.
Van de Ven was never genuinely in the conversation for a summer exit and remains central to De Zerbi’s plans. Spurs view the Dutchman as a key part of their defensive future, and locking him into a new long-term deal would mark a strong statement of intent from the club.
Since joining from Wolfsburg in 2023, Van de Ven has grown into one of the Premier League’s standout centre-backs. His blistering pace, recovery defending, comfort playing out from the back and composure on the ball have made him a hugely valuable presence for Spurs. His speed alone has become a major weapon, with some of the fastest recorded sprints in Premier League history to his name, giving Tottenham a defensive advantage few teams can match when they’re at their best. He’s been described in several analyses as essentially the centre-back of the future — someone the club simply can’t afford to lose.
That said, the 2025/26 season was a tough one for both Van de Ven and Tottenham, with the club battling inconsistency, brushing against relegation trouble, dealing with a heavy injury list and going through managerial upheaval. Van de Ven had his own struggles too, including hamstring issues tied to his running style and a red-card ban, all of which took a toll on his form and confidence alongside the club’s wider troubles. He’s spoken openly about the mental strain of that period, admitting he stepped back from social media amid the criticism, while stressing the squad stayed committed regardless.
There’s been occasional chatter about his future, but Tottenham’s stance has never wavered — they rate him highly and have no plans to let him go. With a new long-term deal reportedly close, Spurs are set to tie down the defender and make another statement under De Zerbi.
Van de Ven remains arguably Tottenham’s most important defender and one of their biggest assets, with a blend of pace, defensive smarts and technical ability that makes him hard to replace. If De Zerbi can turn things around next season, Van de Ven looks set to be at the heart of it — and with the verbal agreement reportedly done, Spurs appear ready to send a clear message to the rest of the league that their defensive star isn’t going anywhere.
