Tottenham Hotspur are facing a massive fight to keep hold of Micky van de Ven, with the Dutch defender reportedly turning down the club’s opening moves for a new contract.
Despite Spurs being desperate to tie their star man down to a long-term deal, it seems the 24-year-old’s head has been turned by interest from some of Europe’s heavyweights.
With Tottenham enduring a nightmare season that has seen them flirting with the relegation zone, the news will come as a bitter blow to the Spurs faithful.
Van de Ven snubs new five-year Spurs deal
According to recent reports, Tottenham were ready to offer Van de Ven a bumper new five-year contract to reflect his status as one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
The proposed deal would have kept him at the North London club until 2031, providing some much-needed security during a period of total chaos at the club.
However, Van de Ven has reportedly told the club he is not interested in discussing an extension right now.
While he is currently under contract until 2029, his refusal to even sit at the table suggests he is keeping his options very much open for a summer move.
The Dutchman has been a rare bright spark in an otherwise dismal campaign. E
ven as the team struggled under Thomas Frank, and now interim boss Igor Tudor, Van de Ven’s recovery pace and leadership have stood out, often captaining the side in the absence of other senior figures.
Real Madrid and Liverpool on red alert
It’s no secret that Van de Ven’s performances have caught the eye of the world’s biggest clubs.
Real Madrid are said to be leading the chase, with Los Blancos looking for a long-term successor to the likes of David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger.
The lure of the Bernabeu is hard for any player to ignore, especially when your current club is sitting 16th in the table and facing a winless run that has stretched into the new year.
Liverpool are also thought to be monitoring Van de Ven and his situation closely.
With Ibrahima Konate’s future at Anfield still uncertain, the Reds see Van de Ven as the perfect partner for his international teammate Virgil van Dijk.
Manchester United have also been linked, though reports suggest they are currently behind in the race.
Will Spurs be forced to sell for £100m?
Tottenham are in a strong position contractually, but history shows that the club rarely keeps players who are determined to leave, provided the price is right.
Word from the club is that they have slapped a staggering £100 million price tag on the centre-back.
That figure would make him the most expensive defender in football history, surpassing the fee United paid for Harry Maguire.
While that price might scare off some suitors, it shows how highly Spurs value the former Wolfsburg man.
However, if the club fails to beat the drop and ends up in the Championship, that valuation will inevitably plummet, making a summer exit almost certain.
For now, Spurs fans will be hoping that Igor Tudor can steady the ship and convince Van de Ven that the project in N17 is still worth being a part of.
But with the European giants circling, the “Cyborg” of the Spurs defence looks increasingly like he could be heading for the exit door.
