Tottenham Hotspur currently find themselves in the midst of a morale-sapping Premier League relegation battle.
The North London club are without a league win since December and are the last remaining Premier League side to taste victory in 2026.
Despite the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi as the team's new head coach, Spurs have lost to Sunderland and drawn against Brighton & Hove Albion, now two points adrift of safety with five matches to go.
Micky van de Ven prepares to leave Spurs
Previous head coach Igor Tudor lasted only a matter of games, presiding over one of the shortest managerial tenures in English top flight history, in what proved a microcosm of Spurs' season.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been something of a managerial revolving door over the past 12 months. Spurs parted company with Ange Postecoglou following the team's 17th place finish, and Europa League victory, last term, appointing Thomas Frank as his replacement.
However, the Dane lasted only six months in the role, replaced by Tudor, whose stint was even shorter.
Regardless of how Tottenham's season ends, whether it be in survival or relegation, it is expected more of the same will occur with the playing squad.
Club captain and Argentine international Cristian Romero has been linked with a move to Spain's top flight, meanwhile fellow central defender Micky van de Ven is also purported to be on his way.
FourFourTwo understands the Dutch centre-back has begun tidying up his off-field affairs in London, signalling that his future lies elsewhere.
Van de Ven has described rumours suggesting the Spurs dressing room 'don't care' as nonsense, reaffirming his belief that the squad is committed to helping Tottenham remain in the Premier League.
"The other day when we read that one guy told the rest of the team that he doesn't care because he's leaving anyway - it’s just made up. And the fans will believe it. It’s just frustrating for us guys," Van de Ven said in a recent interview.
However, developments in the player's personal life indicate there is an expectation he will no longer be plying his trade at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium beyond July.
Van de Ven is represented by one of the most powerful agencies in world football, Team Raiola, founded by the late super-agent Mino Raiola, and is one of the organisation's premium clients. He has been linked with moves to Real Madrid, Barcelona and Liverpool among others, but remains contracted to Spurs until 2029.
Given he has three years left to run on his current deal, Spurs are likely to command a significant fee if Van de Ven is sold in the summer and the club remain a Premier League entity.
In the event of relegation, though, Van de Ven's price tag may plummet, and is heavily dependent on Spurs' negotiating power.
There is also the possibility a move for the Dutchman would be more appealing to interested clubs in this scenario, as they could take the player on a 'try-before-you-buy' loan deal, covering his Spurs wages whilst the club cut costs in the Championship.
