The Argus

Roberto De Zerbi has made Martin Dubravka their fourth signing of the summer in a move which will pave the way for Antonin Kinsky to become first-choice goalkeeper.

While it would be no surprise if De Zerbi had considered Steele, in whom he put a lot of trust when they were together at Albion, he has moved for Dubravka on a free transfer.

The Slovak left Burnley at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

His decision to turn to Dubravka instead of target a high-profile keeper is being seen as the latest show of faith in Kinsky, who bounced back from a nightmare display against Atletico Madrid in March to star in Tottenham’s successful relegation battle.

Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is expected to leave Spurs this summer, so Kinsky will become No.1 and have Dubravka, 37, behind him for support and competition.

Spurs were also speculatively linked with Bart Verbruggen at one stage.

But those who followed Albion more closely during De Zerbi’s tenure will have seen Steele as the more natural choice.

Dubravka said: “It’s an exciting time for me, a new journey and new experience for me and my family. I’m looking forward to it.”

Steele continues to work with the England goalkeepers at the World Cup as they head towards their final group fixture against already-eliminated Panama.

Now head coach Roberto De Zerbi is looking forward to working with the man who was part of his Albion team for a little short of two seasons.

Van Hecke will link up again with his former boss when he reports for pre-season at Tottenham Hotspur this summer.

De Zerbi has underlined the qualities which impress him with van Hecke – and with which Albion fans are very familiar.

Van Hecke signed for Albion almost six years ago and had loans at Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers before forcing his way into Graham Potter’s plans at the Amex.

He has also been a main man for De Zerbi and Fabian Hurzeler and has been spoken about as a potential future Albion captain.

Spurs sporting director Johan Lange said via a club statement: "Jan Paul is an outstanding defender who has excelled in the Premier League and at international level, and someone we have been tracking for a number of years.

"As well as his technical qualities and strong defensive instincts, he also has the maturity, character and professionalism that we look for when recruiting players.”

In the official announcement of the £52 million move, De Zerbi said: "Jan Paul is someone I know very well from our time together at Brighton, and I'm delighted to be working with him again.

"He is a strong, intelligent centre-back who is brave in possession and plays with personality. Those are important qualities for the way I want our team to set-up.

"Off the pitch he is mature, a leader and has a hunger to learn and improve every day.

"Jan Paul has made great progress over the past few years and I believe he can develop even further here at Tottenham Hotspur."

The Albion centre-back passed a medical while with the Holland squad at the World Cup.

He has agreed what Spurs have called a long-term deal.

Seagulls head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: “JP has been a pleasure to work with during our two years together and I wish him well in this move to Tottenham.

“He has been a huge influence on and off the pitch, endearing himself to both fans and his team-mates with his commitment. I have no doubt he will continue to be a success.”

Albion have secured a 20% cut of any future profit Spurs receive for the Holland international.

Van Hecke links up with his former Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi, who took over at Spurs towards the end of last season.

The defender said: "I already have a really strong connection with the head coach, who I'm looking forward to working with again.

“Micky (van de Ven, Holland defender) has also told me some great things about the club, so I can't wait to get started.

"I've been at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as an opposition player and now I'm looking forward to walking out there in front of our fans wearing the Spurs shirt. That will be a special moment."

The Holland international will move to North London for £52 million.

Albion remain keen on bringing Croatia defender Niko Vuskovic in the opposite direction as the summer window gathers pace.

Tottenham had two earlier bids rejected for van Hecke, who had one year left on his Albion contract.

He will now link up again with his former Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi after the World Cup, in which he is starting for the Dutch alongside Virgil van Dijk.

Spurs have conceded 122 goals across the last two Premier League campaigns and De Zerbi has immediately got to work on bringing in defensive reinforcements with van Hecke’s addition following the arrivals of left-back Andy Robertson and centre-back Marcos Senesi.

But van Hecke will also offer a lot in terms of build-up play.

His departure had looked increasingly likely as last season wore on and Albion fans will now turn their attention to who comes in as a defensive recruit.

The Albion and Holland centre-back is reported by David Ornstein via the Athletic to have been subject of an unsuccessful bid from Spurs as talks continue.

He was previously linked with his former boss Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham, as were goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and midfielder Carlos Baleba.

Van Hecke would appear to be the more pressing case for the Seagulls as he heads into the final year of his current contract at the Amex.

Spurs are expected to sign Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi but De Zerbi is aware the squad needs major surgery and has spoken about imposing his preferred style of play over pre-season.

Former Spurs star Sandro told The Standard this week that he sees van Hecke as a great fit.

Sandro, who played for De Zerbi in Italy, said: “They are talking about Marcos Senesi, at Bournemouth, but I really like the defender from Brighton, Van Hecke.

“For me, Van Hecke is ready. He's ready to play because he played under De Zerbi and he showed that he can play in the moment, that he's mature, and we need players that are already mature.”

Van Hecke was one of three Albion players who started Holland’s send-off friendly against Algeria in Rotterdam last night.

But the occasion fell flat as they lost 1-0.

Verbruggen played the first half and Mats Wieffer, who was at right-back, was replaced on 69 minutes as Ronald Koeman made wholesale in-game changes.

But van Hecke was still on the pitch as Algeria scored their 86th-minute winner before then making way for striker Brian Brobbey.

The under-21s beat Spurs 3-1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the PL2 title play-off semi-finals.

They will now play Manchester United, who beat Manchester City 4-3, in the final.

Shannon Ruth’s side impressed in North London to follow previous knockout wins over Ipswich, where they trailed, and West Ham, who they swept aside 3-0.

The play-offs were brought in to give young players experience of handling high-stakes fixtures at the end of the season and the young Seagulls have responded in style.

They went ahead on 29 minutes with a close-range finish by defender Noel Atom, who was up for a corner.

Amid a melee, Atom found the ball conveniently at his feet and thumped it high into the net.

Harry Howell hit the post before the break.

The second goal came 11 minutes after the break and was turned in by Shane Nti from a low cross by Miah Oriola, who had been found by a long ball from goalkeeper Steven Hall.

Spurs replied almost immediately with a penalty converted by Mason Melia.

But Albion restored their two-goal advantage on 79 minutes from another corner.

Atom and Callum Mackley both won headers before Kofi Shaw finished.

The date and venue of the final have yet to be announced.

Albion’s academy face Three Bridges in the Sussex Transport Senior Cup final on Wednesday.

Albion: Hall; Albarus, Barclay, Atom, Keogh; Middleton, Robertson (Mackley 64); Silsby (West 89), Howell, Oriola; Nti (Shaw 72). Subs not used: Jensen, Belmont.

The Seagulls’ under-21s visit the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the semi-finals of the Premier League 2 title play-offs this evening (7pm).

Th hosts’ boss Wayne Burnett has joked De Zerbi has made their challenge harder.

Burnett said: “I look at Brighton and I think they have got some outstanding teams.

“If I am being honest, Roberto being there previously has probably accelerated them as a club.

“Whenever we play Brighton, it’s always an excellent football match because you know they have some excellent football players, but they are also excellently coached by the coaches there.

“They play very similar to how we play and it will be an interesting match-up. It will be intriguing to see how both teams go about overcoming the other team.

“It is certainly one we’re looking forward to and we’re under no illusions about how difficult the game will be.”

Albion eased past a strong West Ham side 3-0 in the quarter-finals having previously come from behind to win at Ipswich.

Seagulls boss Shannon Ruth said: “I think we've timed our form pretty well towards the back end of the season and we're looking forward to Friday.”

Both teams will relish the chance to play at arguably the most impressive stadium in the Prem.

Burnett said: “Are we pleased it is at the stadium? Yes, but I think it also gives the opposition a boost to play at such a wonderful stadium as ours.

“I think since the new stadium has been built, we haven’t been beat there which is a good thing, and it is certainly something we’re looking forward to and so should the players.”

Ruth will demand togetherness from his side and says senior head coach Fabian Hurzeler sets the example.

Ruth said: “Fabian mentions the word ‘togetherness’ a lot and I think it's our job also to help the young players realise the importance of the team,” Ruth said. “As a young player when you come through the academy, you only think about your journey.

“When you get to under-18s, under-21s and certainly the first team you've got to start to understand your part within the team and, if you want to be successful, you need to be successful as a group. We try and push that mantra too.”

The Japan star’s sensational left-foot volley at Spurs is, as expected, on the shortlist for the Guinness prize.

Mitoma connected expertly with a precise cross from Pascal Gross in first-half added time.

He has twice won Prem goal of the month previously, for a dazzling run and finish at Wolves early in the 2023-24 season and his stunning first touch and shot at home to Chelsea last term.

Both won him goal of the season for his club and the goal against Chelsea also took the Prem award.

His competitors this month include a goal in the same game, curled home off the far post by Xavi Simons to spark massive celebrations around the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Liverpool duo Rio Ngumoha and Andy Robertson make the shortlist along with Ryan Cherki (Manchester City), Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal) and James Justin (Leeds).

Votes for goal of the month can be cast via the Premier League website until midday on Monday and these will be combined with the views of an expert panel.

But it remains to be seen what part the Albion winger plays.

The Japan winger scored a superb volley in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Spurs.

He did so after going on as substitute for the injured Diego Gomez and was later replaced himself.

The Argus reported on Saturday evening that Japanese media had seen Mitoma walk past the interview area at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium seemingly in no discomfort.

He was declared fit to face Chelsea when Fabian Hurzeler spoke to the media on Monday morning.

The Seagulls head coach said: “He is good. He just had some cramps.

“He felt a little bit in the warm-up but I think he had a very effective short performance on the pitch.

“Scoring, helping us to get the equaliser. He also had some good actions.

“He had just had minor issues and he will be available.”

Mitoma scored the winner when Chelsea visited the Amex in the FA Cup last season.

Less than a week later, he produced a goal of the season contender to kick-start a 3-0 win over Chelsea in the league.

James Milner remains absent but Hurzeler said he will play again this season.

Diego Gomez is ruled out by a knee injury and Solly March will not be part of the matchday squad.

March suffered a minor muscle issue in training recently and was absent from the game at Spurs.

But he was ultimately disappointed with a 2-2 draw.

The Seagulls trailed twice but levelled through Kaoru Mitoma and then, amid high tension around the stadium, Georginio Rutter.

Right-back Wieffer said: “I think the 2-1 came out of nowhere but we still had the feeling that we could score because they are not in a really good position at the moment, as everybody knows.

“In the last ten minutes you saw already the 2-2 was a little bit coming.

“We scored it and, in the end, we had also chances with the corner to get the 3-2.

“In the end, if it is deserved, I don’t know, but we wanted more.”

Ferdi Kadioglu almost levelled for Albion just before Rutter struck with home nerves on edge and their tiring team sitting back.

Wieffer said: “You see they are going to drop. They try to be in the 16 (penalty area) so we can pay around.

“Maybe a lack of confidence, a little bit. We keep pressure, pressure, pressure and one ball can fall well and it happened for us to make it 2-2.”

Asked the mood in the Albion changing room, Wieffer said: “Of course, disappointed. We had a couple of good moments, good actions in the first half. Second half as well.

“But, overall, it was not exactly as we wanted to play, I think.”