Tottenham Hotspur 'add Micky van de Ven to transfer shortlist'

The 22-year-old has made a name for himself in the Bundesliga since leaving FC Volendam for Wolfsburg in 2021, scoring one goal and setting up three more in 41 matches.

Van de Ven made just five appearances for Wolfsburg in his debut season due to injury and competition for places, but the Dutchman forced his way into the first XI for the 2022-23 campaign.

Having earned the trust of Niko Kovac, Van de Ven came up with one goal and two assists from 33 Bundesliga starts, featuring as a centre-back and left-back throughout the campaign, but Wolfsburg just missed out on a spot in Europe.

The defender is yet to win his first cap for the Netherlands, but he has donned the armband for the Under-21s and was called up for the ongoing Under-21 European Championships, playing the full 90 in Wednesday's 0-0 draw with Belgium.

Jong Oranje have conceded just two goals in nine games with Van de Ven in the backline, and back in March, Wolfsburg tied the Dutchman down to a new long-term deal until 2027.

The Bundesliga side are braced for bids in the coming weeks, though, and according to Fabrizio Romano, Van de Ven is on Spurs' shortlist for a summer move.

New Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou is understood to be after reinforcements in the centre of defence, and Romano adds that talks have already taken place with Van de Ven's camp.

The former Volendam man is represented by Team Raiola - the agency formed by the nephew of the late super-agent Mino Raiola - and Wolfsburg would be under no pressure to sell on the cheap this summer.

Tottenham have already brought Dejan Kulusevski to the club on a permanent deal this summer, while Empoli goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is close to moving to North London.

Vicario is expected to undergo his medical this weekend before signing his contract, after which Spurs will turn their attention to acquisitions in the heart of the backline.

Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi is understood to be a prime target for Tottenham, but the Lilywhites could be priced out of a move for the £60m-rated Englishman, while Manchester City's Aymeric Laporte has apparently rejected the chance to join Postecoglou's side.

Fulham's Tosin Adarabioyo is thought to have emerged as an alternative target, while Roma's Roger Ibanez and Bayer Leverkusen's Edmond Tapsoba are also on the Lilywhites' radar.

Postecoglou may oversee the exits of Davinson Sanchez, Joe Rodon and Japhet Tanganga this summer, while Eric Dier could be allowed to leave on a free transfer next year.

Clement Lenglet is also due to return to Barcelona following the end of his loan spell, but Tottenham are said to be discussing a permanent move for the Frenchman.