Catalan giants Barcelona could be set to make a summer move for Tottenham’s Dutch centre-back Micky van de Ven, as the Blaugrana looks to strengthen their backline ahead of next season.
Barcelona are lacking depth at centre-back
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The Spanish top-flight leaders have lacked depth and quality at centre-back this season. Highly-rated youngster Pau Cubarsi has been the mainstay at the heart of the team’s defence this season.
However, for much of the campaign, left-back Gerard Martin has partnered the 19-year-old in the backline. Barcelona also have two other centre-backs on the club’s books in Eric Garcia and Ronald Araujo.
Garcia has failed to really convince in the heart of the backline and has often been deployed in a defensive midfield position or at right-back. Off-the-field issues have disrupted Araujo’s season.
The fact that Martin is playing out of position at centre-back suggests that, despite being La Liga leaders, the Blaugrana needs a centre-back.
Van de Ven could prove an ideal signing
Micky van de Ven hasn’t experienced the best of form in a Tottenham team that is currently ensconced in the Premier League relegation zone. However, the Dutchman hasn’t proven his quality in previous seasons for the north London outfit.
One of the 25-year-old’s biggest assets is his pace. It is the perfect attribute for a potential Barcelona defender, as the Catalan team plays a high defensive line, which can be risky if not executed correctly. Van de Ven seems like an ideal fit for that defensive system.
@theathleticfc Why are Barcelona still playing such a high line? Jon Mackenzie explains 🧠 #footballtiktok #soccertiktok #premierleague #barcelona #laliga ♬ original sound – The Athletic FC
Whether Van de Ven will move on this summer will likely depend heavily on whether Tottenham survive or are relegated. The Dutchman, like most of the club’s high-profile players, will likely leave in the summer if the north London club suffer the drop.
If Tottenham avoid the drop, it would make it slightly more difficult for Barcelona to sign the Dutchman. However, it wouldn’t stop a move completely, as no doubt the move would appeal to a player who has spent the last two seasons at the wrong end of the English top-flight table.