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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Charlie Bradshaw is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with ten years of reporting experience. He covered Merseyside football before going national. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Liverpool John Moores University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Liverpool, he watches non-league sides and collects old match programmes. “The back page is only ever half the story.”