Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £52m deal with Brighton for Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke, the two clubs confirmed on Tuesday, triggering a chain of decisions that could reshape the heart of Roberto de Zerbi’s defence.
Van Hecke, 26, started for the Netherlands in their 2-2 World Cup draw with Japan on Sunday and has a year left on his Brighton contract, showing no inclination to extend. The Seagulls had already turned down one offer for the player who joined them from NAC Breda in 2020, but they have now accepted Tottenham’s bid — which includes a significant sell-on clause that will earn Brighton more if Spurs sell him on.
“Tottenham agree £52m deal with Brighton for Jan Paul van Hecke, adding to defensive overhaul.”
The centre-half made 131 appearances for Brighton and started 36 of 38 Premier League games last season under Fabian Hurzeler, helping the club secure an eighth-place finish and only their second ever European qualification.
Van Hecke will reunite with De Zerbi, who managed him at the Amex, and becomes Tottenham’s third defensive signing of the window after Scotland left-back Andy Robertson arrived from Liverpool and Argentinian centre-half Marcos Senesi agreed a move from Bournemouth. The double deal throws the futures of several existing Spurs defenders into doubt.
De Zerbi already has Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso and Radu Dragusin on the books, plus 19-year-old Luka Vuskovic — who spent last season on loan at Hamburg and is reportedly wanted by Brighton as well as a host of top European sides. Romero, who captained Spurs to a Europa League win over Manchester United in 2025, has long been linked with a move away; he missed 15 Premier League games last season through suspension or injury, and 20 the campaign before. Dragusin, 24, turned down Bayern Munich to join Spurs in January 2024 but an ACL injury has disrupted his time at the club.
Should both depart, De Zerbi would be left with Senesi, Van Hecke, Van de Ven and Danso — and a decision on whether to keep Vuskovic, who is yet to play a competitive minute for Tottenham. Spurs fans may get their first glimpse of the Croatia international when England face his side on Wednesday at the World Cup.