Wolfsburg are holding out for £43 million for Micky van de Ven as Premier League giants Tottenham Hotspur look to secure a deal for the highly-rated Bundesliga stopper.
Earlier in the day, Tuttomercatoweb suggested that Tottenham had all-but agreed a deal with Niko Kovac’s side after making a new and improved offer of £34.5 million – rising to £38 million – for Ange Postecoglou’s number one centre-half target.
But, at the risk of raining on Spurs’ parade, it seems that things are not quite as advanced as TMW made out.
The Wolfsburger Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper – given their local connections to the Bundesliga outfit – are probably worth listening to above most other sources as Spurs look to get Micky van de Ven through the door before next week’s league opener against Brentford.
And they say that, while progress has certainly been made, Wolfsburg’s sporting director Marcel Schafer is still holding out for more. He wants £43 million; a fee that would make the Dutch U21 international the second-most expensive export in the club’s history. Behind only Manchester City superstar Kevin de Bruyne.
Tottenham hope to seal Micky van de Ven signing
The report even casts doubt on suggestions that Tottenham are offering up to £38 million. WAZ believe that the offer currently on the table is a much lower one, in the region of £26 million.
The good news, at least, is that personal terms will not be an issue. Van de Ven’s agent has already admitted that Spurs would be a ‘good move’ for his client, while the player himself has spoken openly about his interest in a move to the Premier League.
“I am very good at Wolfsburg, so I don’t mind staying at Wolfsburg for another year,” he said. “But if I get a chance to leave, I would like to.
“Of course, I read everything (the speculation). I have good contact with my agent, so I know what’s going on. I’ll see where it will lead.
“Hopefully, (a big transfer after the U21 Euros) would be nice. The Premier League? Maybe, yes. Who knows.”
Having already sold Felix Nmecha to Borussia Dortmund this summer, Wolfsburg are under no pressure to cash in on Van de Ven too.
Schafer has reportedly told Spurs that talks will be called off if the London giants do not match Wolfsburg’s demands. A decision on Van de Ven’s future is expected to be made ‘shortly’.
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