Tottenham's Bid for Van Hecke Rejected as Brighton Resists Transfer Advances
Tottenham Hotspur has faced a setback in their pursuit of centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, as Brighton & Hove Albion has rejected their opening bid. The move comes amid efforts from former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi to strengthen Spurs’ defense. Van Hecke, a Dutch international, has become a key target for Tottenham, having previously worked under De Zerbi during his tenure at Brighton. The defender has developed into one of the Premier League's standout players, drawing significant interest as he approaches the final year of his contract at the Amex Stadium, increasing the chances of a summer transfer. Despite this, Tottenham’s initial offer did not meet Brighton’s valuation, leading to its rejection. In addition to Van Hecke, De Zerbi is also eyeing other Brighton talents, including goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and midfielder Carlos Baleba, as he looks to build a strong foundation for his squad at Spurs. However, there is an understanding that acquiring all these players may be challenging, prompting the club to explore alternatives such as: Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth Andy Robertson from Liverpool James Trafford from Manchester City Potentially John Stones for leadership The Tottenham hierarchy is committed to supporting De Zerbi following a crucial appointment that helped the team avoid relegation. The manager aims to instill his tactical style quickly, recognizing the importance of learning from a narrow escape from relegation, which was secured with a final-day victory over Everton.
Source: The Independent Sport - 2026-06-04