(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Sat 14 March 2026 7:30, UK

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James Maddison could opt to stay at Tottenham Hotspur next season even if they suffer a shock relegation from the Premier League to the Championship.

The 29-year-old has missed the entire season with a cruciate ligament injury and is not expected to return to action before the end of the campaign in May.

However, he will likely be back in time for pre-season training with Spurs, and may decide against a move away in favour of regaining his full match fitness.

Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Maddison could disregard interest from the likes of Aston Villa for at least six month.

That would then see him assess his future in the January transfer window should interest linger, but may be one player to stay in a difficult transfer window for Spurs.

James Maddison likely to stay at Tottenham

Brown told Football Insider on 10 March that Aston Villa are interested in Maddison and could take advantage of Tottenham’s situation if they are relegated.

While most of the Spurs squad would be expected to move on, and the midfielder would be available at a bargain price, he could decide to stick with his current club.

“Maddison is going to be an interesting one,” Brown told Football Insider.

“If the reports on his recovery are positive and he returns for Tottenham in pre-season, there could be an opportunity to bring in him on a bargain deal.

“If Tottenham are relegated, they’re going to struggle to keep hold of players and they’ll have to sell, so the opportunity will be there for clubs like Villa.

“From Maddison’s point of view, though, I think there’s a strong possibility he could stay at Spurs.

“The major factor for him is getting back fit and playing, and I would think he needs a good pre-season to get back playing first and foremost.

“If he can do that and get back to form early in the season with Tottenham, whichever league they might be in, then it might be something he looks at in January.

“The big thing for him, though, is returning to playing regularly and that might mean turning down interest from elsewhere and staying at Spurs.”

Micky van de Ven could be set to leave Tottenham

Despite suggestions Maddison could opt to remain at Tottenham regardless of whether they are relegated, they are bracing for multiple other key players to leave.

Among the most high-profile players being linked with the move away is Micky van de Ven, as some of Europe’s biggest clubs are interested in his signature.

Football Insider revealed on 8 March that Liverpool are leading the race for Van de Ven and have been handed a boost by Barcelona’s financial situation.

His likely £60-70million price tag will likely prove too steep for the Spanish giants to meet, potentially opening the door for the Reds to make a move.

The 24-year-old is widely expected to leave in the summer after what has been a miserable season which could end with Spurs being relegated to the Championship.