Tottenham have been exploring a triple raid on Brighton to strengthen their squad.
Defence is clearly the priority area Roberto De Zerbi is looking to address this summer, with left-back Andrew Robertson and centre-half Marco Senesi expected to arrive at Tottenham Hotspur, as he aims to make sure he tightens up at the back.
With Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin linked with an exit from White Hart Lane, Spurs could target at least two centre-backs in the forthcoming summer transfer window. This is apart from welcoming back Luka Vuskovic from an impressive loan spell with SV Hamburger in the Bundesliga. The young Croatian performed exceptionally well, earning him a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season, and he will be raring to break into the Tottenham first XI under De Zerbi next term.
De Zerbi wants to bring in players that fit into his vision and style of play, and it has now emerged that the 46-year-old is taking a close look at a few players from his former club ahead of the summer window. Recent reports suggest that the Italian tactician is plotting a triple transfer raid on Brighton and Hove Albion. Jan Paul van Hecke, Carlos Baleba and Bart Verbruggen are wanted by the Spurs boss.
Spurs podcaster makes revelation on which Brighton star is most likely to join Tottenham
In terms of the Brighton trio who De Zerbi has set his sights on, reputable Spurs podcast Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham claims that central defender Jan Paul van Hecke is the “most likely” to end up in N17 this summer, despite Spurs verbally agreeing on a deal with Senesi.
“There were reports that De Zerbi would like to raid Brighton in a triple transfer for Verbruggen, Van Hecke and Baleba,” John Wenham exclusively told Tottenham News.
“Getting anybody out of Brighton is not easy, as we’ve seen with Chelsea repeatedly going there over the years and then huge sums of money being exchanged. To try and get three of their starting players out of their team, I just see it as incredibly unlikely.
“All three are in positions where we do need strengthening, make no mistake about that, but Van Hecke, when I saw him play at the Tottenham Stadium this year, I was very, very impressed with him, very commanding centre-back.
“He would be an excellent addition and seems the most likely of those three.”
Jan Paul van Hecke’s move could block Luka Vuskovic’s pathway into the first team
Van Hecke enjoyed another fantastic season with Brighton, leading them to the UEFA Europa Conference League qualification. Despite losing 3-0 to Manchester United at home on the final day of the campaign, the Seagulls qualified for Europe.
The Netherlands international, who is a part of Ronald Koeman’s World Cup squad, delivered six-goal contributions to demonstrate his threat at the other end of the pitch, along with his defensive prowess. Being a naturally right-sided centre-back, he’d be viewed as more of a straight replacement for Romero should he depart. And if he arrives and Micky van de Ven stays put amid speculation, Van Hecke will block Vuskovic’s pathway into the first team next term.
As Spurs highly regard Vuskovic and have big plans for him, splashing top dollar on Van Hecke then may not be a sensible move. Instead, targeting Baleba to reinforce the midfield unit, or Verbruggen as Guglielmo Vicario’s replacement in goal, would make sense.