Tottenham are working to complete the signing of Jan Paul van Hecke, who has just one year remaining on his current contract with Brighton and Hove Albion
Tottenham transfer target Jan Paul van Hecke insists he already has "clarity" on his club future, hinting he is keen to reunite with former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi in north London.
Still, Van Hecke has also made it clear he does not want any lingering distractions ahead of his World Cup debut with the Netherlands.
Spurs have already seen two bids rejected for the Albion centre-back, while the Seagulls are keen to sign Croatian gem Luka Vuskovic as his replacement after tabling a separate £30million offer.
Discussions between the parties are continuing but regardless, Van Hecke looks set to partner Virgil van Dijk at the back for Holland in their Group F opener against Japan in Dallas.
When quizzed on his situation, he said: “First of all, I just want to focus on the Dutch national team on Sunday.
“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 uh 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 uh when I make that step, then it’s clear to everyone."
Van Hecke will also fulfil a childhood dream if he makes his World Cup bow.
His uncle Jan Poortvliet represented Holland at the 1978 tournament and even played in the final where Oranje fell short against hosts Argentina in Buenos Aires.
It's partially why he never forgets his roots and humble beginnings and ex-club NAC Breda are in line to profit from his potential transfer to Spurs, should that materialise.
Van Hecke added, alluding to Breda's 7.5 per cent sell-on clause: “My story is special anyway, because I was still playing as a main class amateur at 17.
“We were promoted then and that is of course special now that you take such a step and very nice amounts will eventually go back to where you started. Of course those people are watching and thinking about that amount!"
Holland boss Ronald Koeman is hopeful of having Van Hecke's Brighton team-mate Bart Verbruggen fit to start in goal. The shot-stopper recently picked up a hip injury in his nation's final World Cup warm-up match against Uzbekistan.