Van de Ven Eyes Spurs Exit, North London 2026

Key Points

• Micky van de Ven, Tottenham Hotspur’s Dutch centre-back, expects to leave the club at the end of the 2025/26 season, regardless of whether Spurs avoid relegation or not.
• FourFourTwo understands that van de Ven has begun tidying up his off-field affairs in London, signalling his future lies elsewhere.
• Tottenham are in a Premier League relegation battle, winless in the league since December 2025 and the only top-flight side without a victory in 2026, now on a 15-game winless streak.
• Under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs lost 1-0 to Sunderland and drew 2-2 with Brighton & Hove Albion, leaving them two points adrift of safety with five matches remaining.
• Previous managers include Ange Postecoglou (sacked after 17th place finish last season), Thomas Frank (lasted six months), and Igor Tudor (shortest tenure).
• Van de Ven, represented by Team Raiola, is contracted until 2029 and linked with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool; his sale could fetch a significant fee if Spurs stay up.
• Van de Ven dismissed rumours of a disinterested dressing room, stating: “The other day when we read that one guy told the rest of the team that he doesn’t care because he’s leaving anyway – it’s just made up. And the fans will believe it. It’s just frustrating for us guys”.

Tottenham Hotspur (North London News) April 22, 2026 – Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven is preparing to depart the club at the end of the season amid the team’s desperate fight against Premier League relegation.

Why is Micky van de Ven Leaving Tottenham Hotspur?

FourFourTwo reporter James Westwood reports that the Dutch international has started organising his personal life outside of football in London, indicating an imminent exit from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. This move comes irrespective of the outcome in Spurs’ survival bid, with the club currently two points from safety after recent results under Roberto De Zerbi.

Van de Ven, who joined Tottenham in 2023, has three years remaining on his contract until 2029. Represented by the powerful Team Raiola agency, he has attracted interest from clubs including Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool.

Should Tottenham remain in the Premier League, the club could demand a substantial transfer fee, potentially in the region of £100 million based on earlier valuations. Relegation, however, might lower his market value and open possibilities for loan deals where suitors cover his wages while Spurs reduce costs in the Championship.

In a recent interview, van de Ven addressed speculation about squad morale, refuting claims of apathy. “The other day when we read that one guy told the rest of the team that he doesn’t care because he’s leaving anyway – it’s just made up.

And the fans will believe it. It’s just frustrating for us guys,” he said. This statement underscores his commitment to the current campaign despite his planned departure.

What is Tottenham’s Current Form in the Relegation Battle?

Tottenham Hotspur find themselves in 18th position, winless in the Premier League since December 2025 and the last remaining top-flight team without a 2026 league victory.

Their streak now stands at 15 games, comprising draws and losses, following a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland on April 12 and a 2-2 draw against Brighton & Hove Albion.

As reported by Hotspur HQ’s analysis, the Sunderland loss at the Stadium of Light saw Spurs with 48% possession, 0.91 expected goals, 11 shots (7 on target), but they conceded to Nordi Mukiele in the 61st minute. De Zerbi’s debut yielded no points, with Tottenham unable to convert chances despite statistical parity.

The Brighton match, De Zerbi’s second game, ended 2-2, offering glimpses of improvement but failing to end the drought. Hotspur HQ noted Spurs were

“a bit unlucky not to have broken up”

the streak, praising a stronger midfield setup. Tottenham’s official site published De Zerbi’s full post-match press conference, where he addressed the performance.

Earlier in the season, the club endured managerial instability. Ange Postecoglou was sacked after a 17th-place finish and Europa League win last term. Thomas Frank lasted six months, replaced by Igor Tudor, whose tenure was one of the shortest in Premier League history.

Football Paparazzi compared Spurs’ run to historical lows, noting they matched Everton’s 13-game winless streak for an ever-present side before it extended. Chosun Ilbo reporter Ko Seong-hwan highlighted Spurs as the only winless Premier League team in 2026 after 13 games (5 draws, 8 losses), with just 30 points from 31 matches—the lowest tally since 1914-15.

Who are the Other Key Players Potentially Leaving Tottenham?

Club captain Cristian Romero has been linked with La Liga moves, sidelined by an MCL injury until season’s end. Yahoo Sports reported Tottenham lining up Santiago Giménez or a replacement like Ajax’s Senesi, suggesting contingency plans if van de Ven departs.

Van de Ven’s form has dipped this year after early acclaim as one of the world’s top centre-backs, with some fans calling for his sale.

Yardbarker cited an Aston Villa icon urging him to leave for a bigger club, amid Liverpool and Manchester City links. Sky Sports noted in January that Tottenham planned to retain him with a new contract, but circumstances have shifted.

How Has Roberto De Zerbi Fared Since Taking Over at Tottenham?

Roberto De Zerbi was appointed after Tudor’s brief spell, facing immediate pressure. Goal.com covered De Zerbi praising his “special connection” with Xavi Simons after the Brighton game. Hotspur HQ credited De Zerbi for midfield tweaks, including starting Simons and Rodrigo Bentancur’s return, where the Uruguayan made six tackles and interceptions.

A YouTube analysis described the Brighton draw as showing “real positives,” with better structure and ball progression.

Tottenham’s site hosted De Zerbi’s full comments post-Brighton. Despite this, results remain elusive, with five games left.

ESPN earlier noted shocking stats: Spurs in 17th, one point above the drop after a 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, flirting with a club-record streak.

Background of the Development

Tottenham Hotspur’s troubles stem from a turbulent 2025/26 season marked by poor results and high-profile departures. The club finished 17th last term under Ange Postecoglou, who delivered Europa League success but was sacked.

Thomas Frank’s six-month stint failed to stabilise, leading to Igor Tudor’s record-short tenure. Roberto De Zerbi’s arrival brought minor tactical hope, but the winless run persists at 15 games.

Micky van de Ven, signed in 2023, emerged as a key defender but now plans his exit amid links to elite clubs. Contracted until 2029, his value hinges on survival.

The relegation fight involves close rivals like West Ham (32 points), Nottingham Forest (33), and Leeds (36), with Spurs on 30. Managerial carousel and squad unrest, including Romero’s potential sale, reflect deeper instability.

Prediction: Impact on Tottenham Fans and Supporters

This development could affect Tottenham fans by increasing uncertainty over the defensive core if van de Ven departs alongside potential exits like Romero. Relegation odds stand at -110, heightening anxiety with five games left and a 15-game winless streak. Staying up might secure a high transfer fee to fund rebuilds, but failure risks losing talent cheaply or on loan, prolonging recovery in the Championship.

Supporters face disrupted loyalty, as van de Ven’s personal preparations signal prioritising career over immediate survival. De Zerbi’s tweaks offer faint optimism, but persistent losses erode faith. Fans may see parallels to past collapses, impacting attendance and merchandise amid morale dips. Long-term, it pressures club leadership for stability, affecting emotional investment in a season of upheaval.