Tottenham are in discussions with Brighton regarding a potential transfer for defender Jan Paul van Hecke. Reports indicate that Brighton has rejected two bids from Tottenham for the Netherlands international centre-back. Van Hecke has one year remaining on his current contract with Brighton.

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber confirmed that two offers from Tottenham for Van Hecke have been turned down in the past week. Barber stated that there is significant interest in their key players, including Van Hecke, from multiple sources. He emphasised the club’s commitment to making trades that align with their model and support manager Fabian Hurzeler for the upcoming season.

Van Hecke previously worked under current Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi during their time together at Brighton, where the defender played 50 matches under the Italian. Brighton acquired Van Hecke from NAC Breda in 2020 for an initial fee of £1.8m. He is now reportedly valued by Brighton at £70m.

The centre-back has made 131 appearances for Brighton, including 36 starts in the Premier League last season. His career at Brighton followed loan spells at Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers. Van Hecke is also part of the Netherlands’ World Cup squad.

Brighton is known for its firm stance in transfer negotiations, having previously secured transfer fees exceeding £50m for players such as Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, and Joao Pedro in recent years. The club also engages in forward planning, suggesting that Barber and owner Tony Bloom likely have contingency plans in place should a deal for Van Hecke eventually be agreed upon.

Defensive Reinforcements and Winger Interest

Beyond Van Hecke, Tottenham is also reportedly close to securing Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi on a free transfer. Additionally, Spurs have already completed a deal for Andy Robertson, who departed Liverpool this summer. The pursuit of defenders like Van Hecke and Senesi aligns with Roberto De Zerbi’s strategy to acquire centre-backs who are proficient with the ball.

De Zerbi is reportedly targeting players who excel at progressing the ball from the defensive third. Both Senesi and Van Hecke were identified as top performers in the Premier League last season for their ability to bypass opposing defenders through passing. This approach allows them to absorb pressure and initiate attacks by distributing the ball through the lines.

Van Hecke’s familiarity with De Zerbi’s intense playing style from their time at Brighton makes him a suitable target. Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton’s current manager, noted in 2024 that De Zerbi’s prior integration of this style of play at the club has been beneficial for defenders playing out from the back in challenging areas.

The potential acquisition of two ball-playing defenders suggests that Tottenham perceives a need to strengthen in this area. Analysis indicates that Senesi and Van Hecke possess a higher level of passing ability compared to current Spurs centre-halves Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven.

Winger Target and Midfield Search

In addition to defensive targets, Tottenham is considering making an offer for Manchester City’s winger, Savinho. Spurs have shown interest in signing the winger since last summer. While no direct approach has been made to Manchester City yet, it is understood that one could occur in the coming days.

Furthermore, Tottenham is also seeking a central midfielder capable of deep-lying passing. The club is among several reportedly interested in Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough. The transfer window officially opened on June 15.

Source: skysports.com

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Fred Vasseur Hospitalised Ahead of Qualifying

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur will not be present for Saturday’s qualifying session at the Monaco Grand Prix. The 58-year-old Frenchman was hospitalised following medical checks and will remain under observation at a local medical facility. The specific medical reason for his hospitalisation has not been disclosed by the team.

Ferrari issued a statement on Saturday morning confirming Vasseur’s absence. The statement read that “following some medical checks, Fred will remain under observation at a local medical facility,” and added that “no further medical information will be provided.” The team concluded by wishing Vasseur a speedy recovery and expressed their hope to see him back at the track soon.

Vasseur had been present trackside on Friday, participating in media duties. His drivers, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, secured one-two finishes in both practice sessions on Friday, indicating a strong performance for the team ahead of the weekend.

Practice Session Performance and Expectations

Despite Ferrari’s strong showing in Friday’s practice sessions, Vasseur had cautioned against high expectations for pole position. Speaking on Friday, he emphasised the significant difference between practice and the actual qualifying and race events. He noted that anticipating the evolution of the track and grip levels is a challenge for both teams and drivers.

Vasseur, who has served as Ferrari’s F1 team boss since 2023, stated, “We have to do a job. It’s a very long way from Friday to qualifying and the race.” He added that the real pace of the cars would become clear on Saturday afternoon during qualifying.

Lewis Hamilton, who finished in the top spot during the second practice session on Friday, also commented on the team’s performance. He described Friday as a “positive day overall” and noted that the car felt good from the initial laps. Hamilton highlighted the team’s solid work in making changes between sessions and completing their programme without major issues.

Hamilton acknowledged the unique challenges of the Monaco circuit, including the bumps and the close proximity of the barriers. He mentioned that finding the right balance and putting everything together is not easy. He also indicated that there is still performance to be found and that the team would focus on details overnight, as margins are very small in Monaco, requiring significant work before qualifying.

Qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix is scheduled for 3pm BST on Saturday afternoon. This session is considered one of the most important of the season due to the often processional nature of Sunday’s race.

Source: independent.co.uk

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