Branthwaite, Van de Ven: 'I'm hearing Real Madrid interest after Liverpool reveal'
Real Madrid are monitoring the progress of Tottenham star defender Micky van de Ven, according to Spurs' former scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that Los Blancos would rather move for the 23-year-old Dutchman than Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, who has been linked with the Spanish giants in recent windows.
Van de Ven is currently out with a hamstring injury but has impressed for Tottenham since joining from Wolfsburg in 2023.
He has made two premature returns since suffering the original injury in October but could return to action in the coming weeks.
The defender, who can play at centre-back and left-back, is under contract at Spurs until June 2029.
Liverpool also keen on Tottenham star Van de Ven
Football Insider revealed earlier this month (15 February) that Liverpool are “very keen” on signing Spurs' Van de Ven this summer.
The Reds see him as an “elite Champions League level” player, sources say, and feel he is capable of partnering Ibrahima Konate or Virgil van Dijk.
Van de Ven has made 41 appearances for Tottenham since arriving in England 18 months ago.
Brown insisted Real Madrid will be casting a close eye over the defender's progress as he recovers from yet another muscle injury.
"Real Madrid are in the market for a left-sided centre-back," he told Football Insider.
"There have been links to Jarrad Branthwaite, but I hear they've been looking at the Tottenham defender, Van de Ven.
| Appearances (Starts) | 12 (12) |
| Minutes Played | 939 |
| Goals | 0 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Yellow Cards | 4 |
"I think he stands out as the better option between those two.
"He's quicker than most, he's technically impressive on the ball, he reads the game well.
"He's got experience at a high level now as well.
"Obviously a lot will depend on how he recovers from this injury, so they'll be keeping an eye on that.
"But I think they'd be more likely to go for him rather than Branthwaite at the moment."
‘Daniel Levy could take exciting new Tottenham role’
Off the pitch at Spurs, chairman Daniel Levy has been the target of fan protests this term as Ange Postecoglou's side struggle for results.
It has been widely reported in the last 12 months that Levy is in talks to sell a minority stake in Tottenham.
Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness has told Football Insider (20 February) that new investors could move Levy into a “business affairs” role at Spurs.
The 63-year-old took his current position in 2001 and is the longest-serving chairman in the Premier League.
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