Tottenham Hotspur have submitted an opening bid for Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, according to reports from David Ornstein of The Athletic. The move comes as Roberto De Zerbi seeks to reunite with a player he previously managed at the AMEX Stadium.
Van Hecke, a Netherlands international, enjoyed a strong 2025-26 season with Brighton, making 40 appearances across all competitions and contributing to their eighth-place finish in the Premier League and qualification for the Europa Conference League. He is currently valued between €37.5M and €45.8M, according to Estimated Transfer Value.
The 25-year-old has also been a target for Chelsea, who are looking for a partner for Levi Colwill in central defence. However, Tottenham have moved quickly to register their interest, with Cristian Romero heavily linked with a potential departure from the club. Van Hecke has been identified as the priority replacement for Romero should he leave.
Brighton reportedly rejected Tottenham’s initial bid as it fell below their valuation, but negotiations are continuing. With Van Hecke’s current contract set to expire in 2027, Brighton may be willing to consider offers before the transfer window closes on September 1st. Fellow Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven has also been mentioned as a potential departure, though his exit would command a significant fee.
Liverpool are also monitoring the situation, as reported by The Telegraph, and could offer Champions League football, particularly following the confirmed departure of Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer in July. Chelsea’s interest remains, despite their lack of European competition for next season, and Brighton are believed to value Van Hecke in the region of €80 million. Tottenham are hoping De Zerbi’s existing relationship with the player will give them an advantage in securing his signature.
