Tottenham’s pursuit of Jan Paul van Hecke has hit another roadblock after Brighton rejected a second offer for the Netherlands defender, with new Spurs boss Roberto de Zerbi’s hopes of a reunion seemingly fading.
Brighton had already turned down an initial £70m bid for the 25-year-old, who has a year left on his contract and is part of the Netherlands’ World Cup squad. The Seagulls are now bracing for a third approach, but their hardline bargaining stance — which has previously yielded fees in excess of £50m for Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro — suggests they will not be easily swayed.
“Tottenham's second bid for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke has been rejected after an initial £70m offer was turned down.”
Van Hecke, signed from Eredivisie side NAC Breda in 2020 for a relatively modest sum, has become a key figure under De Zerbi. No outfield player in the Brighton squad played more Premier League minutes last season than his 3,211, and he made 36 starts in the top flight. After loan spells at Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers, the centre-back has gone on to make 131 appearances for Brighton.
The club’s chief executive, Paul Barber, has been placed in charge of outgoing transfers following the unexpected exit of sporting director Jason Ayto, confirmed on Wednesday. Given Van Hecke’s contract situation, it is likely Barber and owner Tony Bloom have a contingency in mind if a deal is eventually agreed. Brighton are known for their forward planning as well as their tough negotiating.
De Zerbi, who worked with Van Hecke during his time at Brighton, is understood to have made the defender a priority target since taking over at Tottenham. But with Brighton valued at £70m — a figure the initial offer matched, according to reports — the north London club face competition for the Dutch international’s signature.
The rejection of a second bid leaves Spurs with decisions to make as the summer transfer window heats up, while Brighton remain in a position of strength, holding all the cards over a player who has a year left on his deal.