Brighton Anticipate Renewed Tottenham Interest in Van Hecke

Brighton & Hove Albion are bracing themselves for a second offer from Tottenham Hotspur for defender Jan Paul van Hecke, following the dismissal of the London club’s initial £70 million proposal.

The 25-year-old center-back, currently a member of the Netherlands’ World Cup squad, is entering the final year of his existing deal. Tottenham manager Roberto de Zerbi is eager to rejoin forces with Van Hecke, having previously worked with him during his tenure at Brighton.

Van Hecke originally joined the Seagulls from Dutch side NAC Breda in 2020 for a comparatively low fee. His development included loan stints at Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers before he established himself as a key figure at Brighton, accumulating 131 appearances. This figure includes 36 starts in the Premier League during the previous season.

The handling of potential outgoing transfers now falls under the purview of chief executive Paul Barber. This shift occurred after the confirmed departure of sporting director Jason Ayto on Wednesday.

Brighton has historically maintained a firm negotiating position, demanding significant compensation for players such as Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, and Joao Pedro in recent years, often securing fees exceeding £50 million. The club is also recognized for its strategic long-term planning. Consequently, given Van Hecke’s contract status, it is anticipated that Barber and owner Tony Bloom have prepared alternative arrangements should a transfer finally take place.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-06-04 13:41:51 UTC