Real Madrid have been put on red alert as contract talks between Tottenham and star centre-back Micky van de Ven have been put on hold until the summer, according to TEAMtalk.

Van de Ven joined Spurs from Wolfsburg in 2023, and has gone on to become a mainstay at the heart of the defence of the north London side.

The Dutchman was key as Spurs won the Europa League last year, beating Manchester United 1-0 in the final in Bilbao.

Spurs enduring shocking season

However, the north London side are enduring a disastrous season and are currently just four points above the relegation zone following Sunday’s 4-1 home defeat to bitter rivals Arsenal.

The result means Spurs have won only two of their last 18 league matches, and are yet to win a Premier League game in 2026.

The sub-par form cost Thomas Frank his job as Spurs boss, with Igor Tudor brought in as interim head coach last week.

Spurs keen to tie Dutchman down to new deal

And Spurs are desperate to tie Van de Ven down to a new deal in order to ward off interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool, the Reds having been linked with a move for the Netherlands international in recent weeks.

Talks, though, have been put on hold until the summer as Spurs battle to beat the drop.

Tudor’s side remain locked in a relegation dogfight, with Spurs, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Leeds all battling to avoid finishing in the bottom three.

The delay in talks has alerted Real Madrid, who are expected to undergo a defensive revamp in the summer.

Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba are set to depart Los Blancos at the end of the season, while Eder Miltao is currently ruled out until April due to injury.

Liverpool linked with Van de Ven

Should Spurs entertain the idea of selling Van de Ven, then Real Madrid would face competition from Liverpool for the 24-year-old.

The defending Premier League champions are expected to bolster their backline when the transfer window opens later this year with Ibrahima Konate yet to extend his stay at Anfield.

The Frenchman’s contract expires this summer and while Liverpool have already confirmed the addition of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, centre-back remains a priority position for the defending Premier League champions.