‘He deserves better’ – Tottenham star told to snub new deal and sign for Premier League rival

Jan 15, 2026 - 16:00

Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor has urged Micky van de Ven to snub a contract extension at Tottenham in favour of a move.

The Dutch centre-back has again been the bright spark in what has been another frustrating season for the north London club.

Micky van de Ven during Tottenham's defeat to Bournemouth — Micky van de Ven has been warned against signing a new deal at Tottenham

Van de Ven, who joined Tottenham from Wolfsburg in 2023, has three-and-a-half years remaining on his existing deal.

However, Spurs are keen to tie down the fan favourite amid reports that the defender has become frustrated by the current situation at the club and wants to see more ambition before committing his future.

Liverpool are understood to be tracking Van de Ven who has netted six times since Thomas Frank’s arrival as boss in the summer.

Dream bigger

Agbonlahor believes the defender should aim higher rather than stay at Tottenham for the long term.

“I feel sorry for him in the sense that he deserves to be playing at a bigger club. He won’t stay at Spurs,” the former Villa striker told talkSPORT.

“Don’t sign a new deal there, Van de Ven. You deserve better than Spurs.”

Agbonlahor’s broadcast partner Alan Brazil agreed with his sentiment, before adding another possible suitor.

“For me, he is the one I’d be buying,” he said. “I bet his agent is driving him mad. I think he could just slot in at Man City.”

To which Agbonlahor replied: “100 per cent, straight away.”

Important figure

The 24-year-old has quickly become a dressing-room leader and was handed the captains armband in the 1-0 win over Crystal Palace last month.

Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven. — Van de Ven has cut a frustrated figure in recent weeks

Gabby Agbonlahor hopes Van de Ven does not commit his long-term future to Tottenham for the sake of his own career[/caption]

However, tensions boiled over last week when Van de Ven became embroiled in a heated exchange with fans following the 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth.

His relationship with Frank was also called into question when he appeared to ignore a handshake from the Spurs boss after the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in November.

Should Van de Ven opt against signing a new deal, then Spurs are expected to command a huge fee for their biggest squad asset with a Harry Kane-style contract saga likely to be avoided.

And key to his decision could be how Spurs fare this season with just the Premier League and Champions League to fight for.

Tottenham are languishing in 14th place, eight points off fourth place currently occupied by Liverpool.

In a bid to boost their hopes of European football, Tottenham have made a blistering start to the January transfer window with the £35million signing of Conor Gallagher this week.

Gallagher’s arrival is set to be followed by the acquisition of Brazilian full-back Souza in a £13m deal from Santos.

Conor Gallagher put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half year deal at Tottenham[/caption]

But a return to Europe’s elite club competition is key for Van de Ven who wants to continue testing himself at the highest level.

Speaking on The Overlap podcast last month, the Dutchman revealed: “Our aim for this season is to make sure that we’re playing Champions League football again. Top four or five is what we want.”