Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £52m deal with Brighton for Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke, the 26-year-old Netherlands international who started in his country’s 2-2 World Cup draw with Japan on Sunday.
Van Hecke, who has a year left on his Brighton contract and showed no inclination to extend it, is set to rejoin former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi in north London after the Seagulls accepted an offer that includes a significant sell-on clause. Brighton had previously turned down one bid for a player who joined them from NAC Breda in 2020.
“Tottenham agree £52m deal for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke as defensive overhaul continues.”
The centre-back made 131 appearances for the Seagulls and started 36 of 38 Premier League games last season as Fabian Hurzeler’s side finished eighth, securing European qualification for only the second time in the club’s history.
Tottenham have already strengthened De Zerbi’s squad in an effort to improve on successive 17th-placed finishes. Scotland defender Andy Robertson has signed from Liverpool, and Argentinian centre-half Marcos Senesi has agreed a move from Bournemouth. Van Hecke’s arrival adds to a wealth of central defensive options that already includes Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, Radu Dragusin and 19-year-old Luka Vuskovic.
But with no European football next season, De Zerbi faces decisions over his defensive ranks. Romero, who captained Spurs to a first trophy in 17 years when they beat Manchester United to win the Europa League in 2025, has long been touted for a move away. The 28-year-old played only 23 Premier League games last season and 18 the campaign before, his availability a source of frustration among supporters. Dragusin has also been linked with an exit; the Romanian reportedly turned down Bayern Munich to join Spurs in January 2024 but an ACL injury has disrupted his time at the club, and the new additions will push him further down the pecking order.
Vuskovic, who spent last season on loan at Hamburg, is reportedly wanted by Brighton as well as a host of top European sides. Spurs fans have yet to see him in competitive action, though they may get a glimpse when England face Croatia on Wednesday. For now, the club’s defensive logjam raises a clear question: how many of Tottenham’s centre-halves will still be in north London come the start of the 2026-27 campaign?