There’s strong, ongoing interest from Tottenham Hotspur in signing Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton this summer (2026), though nothing has been agreed yet. Van Hecke is said to be dominant in aerial duels (one of his key strengths). Solid in respect of ground duels, blocks, and clearance.
It’s a plausible summer deal but not guaranteed; it rather depends on Brighton’s valuation, Spurs’ budget/squad plans post-season, and competition. Van Hecke is ready for a step-up, and De Zerbi’s arrival surely boosts the chances of that. No concrete bid or agreement reported yet; it’s still at the “interest/discussion” stage, but momentum is building.
Jan Paul van Hecke is a modern, ball-playing centre-back who excels in progressive passing, ball-carrying, and proactive defending, making him well-suited to high-possession, build-from-the-back systems like those at Brighton under Fabian Hürzeler
Van Hecke stands out as one of the Premier League’s top ball-playing defenders — often described as a “quarterback” or “deep-lying playmaker.”
Passing: Excellent range and vision. Comfortable playing short, crisp passes to build rhythm or long diagonals to bypass lines and find wingers/full-backs. High accuracy under pressure; he scans constantly and breaks lines with vertical or progressive passes. Likes to play long balls and often distributes off the ground
Ball Carrying: Very progressive. He strides forward confidently from deep, carrying the ball into midfield or even higher to create overloads or draw fouls/press. He’s recorded elite carry numbers in past seasons (e.g., high distances covered with the ball). This helps Brighton escape pressure and transition quickly.
At Brighton, he acts as a key initiator in the first phase of build-up, helping the team play out from the back cleanly and purposefully. He’s versatile enough for a back three or four and thrives in systems that demand defenders contribute offensively. Many scouts rate him as a top-tier ball-playing CB with the potential to start for a Champions League side.
Our view
Should Tottenham get relegated, this may be a case of ‘all bets are off’, although De Zerbi’s influence ought not be underestimated.