The formidable form of Tottenham Hotspur's Mickey Van de Ven has sent a clear warning to the North London club, with European giants including Real Madrid and Liverpool now closely monitoring the Dutch defender's sensational progress.
A 'Messi-like' Transformation in North London
Van de Ven, 24, is experiencing the most prolific period of his career, making his £85m-£90m valuation seem increasingly justified. The centre-back has made a staggering six goals in just 16 appearances across all competitions this season, a remarkable feat considering he had only scored three times in his previous 51 games for the club.
His standout moment was a breathtaking solo goal against Copenhagen in the Champions League, a run from his own half that culminated in a fierce finish. Tottenham manager Thomas Frank hailed it as a potential 'goal of the season', while former England star Chris Waddle offered an even more glittering comparison. 'It was like Lionel Messi transformed into a centre-back, the way Micky ran through everyone,' Waddle told London World.
European Heavyweights Circle for Dutch Star
This explosive form has not gone unnoticed. A recent report from Fichajes confirms that Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich are all tracking the defender's situation. Van de Ven's current contract with Spurs runs until 2029, giving the club a strong negotiating position.
Chris Waddle acknowledged the growing interest, stating, 'You can see why other teams might be interested in bringing him in at the end of the season. He's an important player for the Netherlands too... right now he is a massive player with Tottenham.'
Potential Record Fee and Tottenham's Stance
Should a transfer materialise near Tottenham's reported valuation, it would shatter the current world record fee for a defender. That title is currently held by Harry Maguire, who moved to Manchester United for £80m. The involvement of multiple elite clubs could, however, spark a bidding war, potentially allowing Spurs to command an even higher sum.
The defender has been a resounding success since his arrival in 2023, with former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp previously describing him as a 'Rolls-Royce, proper player.' While Tottenham will be desperate to retain their star asset, his continued meteoric rise makes a major transfer saga in 2025 appear increasingly likely.
