Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven had been strongly linked with a move away.

Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Micky van de Ven is now set to commit his future to the club with a new deal in N17.

That is according to fresh reports which say Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi has produced a major masterstroke in persuading the defender to stay part of the project and reject interest from several of Europe’s top clubs.

Van de Ven joined Spurs from Wolfsburg in 2023 and has made a big impression, with TEAMtalk reporting that a five-year extension is on the cards for the 25-year-old.

According to that report, De Zerbi has “transformed the mood” at the club and has been central to convincing Van de Ven to stay at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, completing a U-turn over his future.

The Lilywhites have finished 17th in each of the past two seasons, with the Netherlands international one of the few standout performers in an inconsistent side, although injuries have so far hampered his time in English football.

With Cristian Romero moving closer and closer to the exit, Van de Ven has become even more important within the squad. And with Jan Paul van Hecke arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion, De Zerbi could look to build around a Dutch partnership next season.

FourFourTwo understands, meanwhile, that Van de Ven is expected to take on added responsibility after Romero’s departure as one of the leaders in the Italian’s squad, and he could even be handed the captaincy once his fellow centre-back leaves.

The fastest player ever recorded in the Premier League, Van de Ven made a bright start to life at Spurs under Ange Postecoglou, with the club going unbeaten at the beginning of the 2023/24 season until November, while his first international call-up arrived only weeks after beginning his journey in north London.

However, Postecoglou’s first Premier League defeat of that season came in a match in which the defender was forced off with a hamstring injury. That has been a recurring issue during his spell in the capital, with Spurs suffering several defensive injury crises during their relegation fights.

Tottenham have added the experience of Andrew Robertson at left-back, but the Scotland international turns 33 this season. De Zerbi may therefore rely heavily on Van de Ven’s recovery pace on that side of the pitch this term, with this contract extension forming an important part of the Italian’s wider project.

Earlier this summer, World Cup winner Pedro Porro also committed his future to the north London club.

“Internally, Spurs view renewals as every bit as important as their summer signings, believing they have secured the core of the squad for years to come,” TEAMtalk says.

Van de Ven is valued at €50m, according to Transfermarkt. Spurs travel to Brentford for the opening match of their Premier League campaign.