Tottenham are pushing to sign Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
Tottenham Hotspur are set to back Roberto De Zerbi in the market, and we have already seen evidence of that with the free signings of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, while talks continue with Brighton and Hove Albion for Jan Paul van Hecke.
Spurs have already had two bids knocked back for Jan Paul van Hecke. A third and probably final bid will be tabled for the central defender, who has made over 100 Premier League appearances for Brighton. He has established himself as one of the most technically sound and reliable defenders in the Premier League in the last couple of years, and having coached him at Brighton, De Zerbi wants to reunite with the Dutchman at White Hart Lane.
Van Hecke, who shares a close relationship with the Tottenham boss, is currently with the Netherlands squad at the World Cup. Ahead of the Netherlands’ opening group-stage game against Japan on Sunday, he has opened up on his future.
Jan Paul van Hecke insists he has clarity over his club future amid Tottenham links
The Brighton star has insisted he already has “clarity” on his future at club level, having made it abundantly clear that he does not want any lingering distractions ahead of his World Cup debut with the Netherlands.
“First of all, I just want to focus on the Dutch national team on Sunday,” Van Hecke told the reporters (h/t The Standard).
“That is a very important match for us, for me. So that’s my focus until now. Of course, things are also playing, and I know that myself too. But that’s not for now, that’s more after the World Cup. I will then see where I play.
“I have also said very clearly that I would like to have clarity for myself before the World Cup. And I have that too. But then, for now, for myself, it’s just clear. I just want to play the World Cup as well as possible.
“That clarity will probably come after the World Cup when I make that step, then it’s clear to everyone.”
Good news for Spurs?
Van Hecke asserting he has got clarity over his future should bode well for Tottenham. This shows the central defender knows what he wants, having rejected multiple contract offers from Brighton. The Dutch star is in the final year of his contract, and the Seagulls cannot afford to lose him on a free transfer next summer.