Tottenham have completed the £52m signing of Netherlands defender Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, only for another of their centre-backs, Luka Vuskovic, to prepare a transfer request to force a move in the opposite direction after Brighton lodged a £45m bid.
Van Hecke, 26, who had a year left on his Brighton contract, has signed what Spurs called a “long-term” deal. The transfer includes a significant sell-on fee for the Seagulls if the defender is sold in the future.
“Tottenham sign Jan Paul van Hecke for £52m while Luka Vuskovic seeks £45m Brighton exit.”
“It’s a huge honour to become a Spurs player and when you join such a big club, it’s a dream come true,” Van Hecke said. He will be reunited with head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who he played under at Brighton after moving from NAC Breda in 2020.
The move also pairs him with international team-mate Micky van de Ven and fellow Dutchman Xavi Simons, who is recovering from an ACL injury. “I already have a really strong connection with the head coach, who I’m looking forward to working with again. Micky has also told me some great things about the club, so I can’t wait to get started,” Van Hecke added.
Van Hecke made 131 appearances for Brighton, starting 36 of 38 Premier League games last season as they finished eighth – securing European qualification for only the second time in the club’s history. He was named both Brighton’s player of the season and players’ player of the season for 2024-25.
Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange said the club had been tracking Van Hecke “for a number of years”. 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.”
While De Zerbi adds a familiar face to his defence, another young Spurs defender appears to be heading out. Luka Vuskovic is ready to submit a transfer request to force a move to Brighton, who have had two bids accepted – the latest worth £45m – for the player. The Seagulls have already sold one central defender to Spurs this window and now want to bring Vuskovic to the Amex.
The developments mean Tottenham’s defensive line-up is undergoing a major overhaul, with a new £52m centre-back arriving and one of the club’s promising youngsters pushing for an exit.