Jan Paul van Hecke is eager to secure a move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer and has reportedly given the club positive signals as they continue their pursuit.
Spurs have already had two bids for the Brighton defender turned down but are expected to return with a third, improved offer in the coming days. New Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has identified Van Hecke as one of his top defensive targets, with the Dutch centre-back also keen on reuniting with his former manager.
As revealed on Football Insider’s Transfer Insider podcast, Van Hecke is open to leaving Brighton and is now focused on making the switch to North London. With only one year remaining on his contract at the Amex Stadium, Brighton could face increasing pressure to cash in rather than risk losing him for a reduced fee later.
The player’s desire to join Spurs has strengthened confidence within the club that a breakthrough can be reached when their next offer arrives.
Football Insider reported on 12 June that Tottenham are preparing a third bid worth around £55 million after previous offers of £40 million and £50 million were rejected. The two clubs are understood to be closing the gap on their valuation of the defender.
Personal terms are not expected to be a stumbling block, and Tottenham believe they are moving closer to securing another summer signing.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, it was explained that Spurs are set to return with an improved proposal of approximately £55 million. While Brighton have rejected earlier offers in an attempt to maximise the transfer fee, they are not viewed as being in a particularly strong negotiating position.
There is growing confidence that a deal can be completed, especially given Van Hecke’s interest in joining Tottenham and working under De Zerbi once again. Both the club and the player remain optimistic that an agreement can be reached, with a third bid expected imminently.
Tottenham’s push for Van Hecke has also sparked speculation about the future of their current defenders. While uncertainty continues to surround Cristian Romero, questions have also emerged regarding Micky van de Ven’s long-term future at the club.
Former Spurs scout Mick Brown recently suggested that Liverpool could explore a move for Van de Ven as they look to strengthen their defence. With the Reds reportedly monitoring the Dutch international, Tottenham’s pursuit of Van Hecke could potentially pave the way for further changes at the back.
Should Spurs complete the signing, the arrival of Van Hecke—who could partner Van de Ven for the Netherlands on the international stage—may have a significant impact on Tottenham’s defensive setup heading into the new season.
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