Barcelona has already started looking ahead to the summer, and while there are many potential places where to improve the squad, strengthening the center of defense is one of the big items on the list. That would ease the workload on Pau Cubarsí, Ronald Araújo, Eric García, and the rest across a calendar that only seems to get more demanding.
One of the names circulating internally, according to Diario SPORT, is Micky van de Ven. The Dutch defender has impressed in stretches since arriving at Tottenham
Hotspur. Tall and quick across the ground, he also has an important feature to play in Hansi Flick’s system – being comfortable bringing the ball forward.
Then nights like today happen.
Tottenham’s 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace turned on a moment involving Van de Ven just minutes after Dominic Solanke had put the home side ahead. Chasing back toward his own area, the stand-in captain grabbed Ismaïla Sarr as the forward burst into the box. The referee pointed to the spot and showed a straight red card.
Sarr then converted the penalty himself. What followed was a frantic spell before halftime. Jørgen Strand Larsen struck for Palace, and Sarr added another soon after. From a winning position, Tottenham walked into the break trailing 3-1 and down to ten men. The defeat only deepened the club’s problems in the Premier League. Igor Tudor’s side is now eleven matches without a win in the competition, drifting dangerously close to the relegation line.
For Barcelona, Van de Ven remains an interesting candidate but an expensive one to bolster the defense. Tottenham reportedly value him at well over €100 million, a number that immediately complicates any discussion for a club still navigating some tight financial limits.
