Thomas Frank has said Tottenham should prioritise a new contract for defender Micky van de Ven.
Van de Ven’s current contract expires in 2029, but he has yet to sign fresh terms since joining the club from Wolfsburg in 2023.
Reports have suggested van de Ven is unhappy at the club, with Liverpool said to be interested in bringing the centre-back to Merseyside.
Frank, though, says van de Ven is a key player for Spurs and while he did not confirm that the Dutch international would sign a new deal, he added that he hoped he would extend his stay in north London.
“That I don’t know if I’m honest but he’s definitely a player we should prioritise,” Frank said of Van de Ven’s future.
“Definitely for me, Micky is a key player for this team and this club and hopefully for many years to come.”
Spurs have endured a difficult season, and sit 14th heading into Saturday’s trip to relegation-threatened Burnley.
Tensions have spilt over on and off the pitch, with Van de Ven forced to apologise to Frank after he and Djed Spence ignored the Dane at full-time after Spurs’ 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in November.
The 24-year-old confronted supporters after Spurs’ stoppage-time defeat to Bournemouth last month.
Van de Ven, though, remains one of the best defenders in the Premier League, and Frank admits there is still scope for him to develop.
“He has what it takes to be an even better player,” the Spurs boss continued.
“I have no doubt he can help us to get us to where we want to be in the future.”
