Tottenham transfer target Jan Paul van Hecke is facing an anxious wait after suffering significant swelling to his right eye during Holland’s 2-2 World Cup draw with Japan – an injury that left him struggling to see. The 26-year-old Brighton defender, who completed the full 90 minutes in Dallas, revealed a kick to the face worsened during the second half. “He kicked me in the eye with all his might. I was heading for the ball, so I thought something might happen,” van Hecke said. “At some point, it definitely affected my vision. I can’t see very well on that side right now. I hope it will get a little better in a few days. I think it will swell up a bit more later, but that’s also part of the game.” Images of the bruising taken as he greeted his family in the stands have raised further alarm, with Dutch team medical staff set to assess him on Monday.
Van Hecke, who is approaching the final year of his Brighton contract, has made it clear he wants to join Tottenham – despite interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle. Spurs have already seen two bids rejected but remain in discussions with Brighton, and the centre-back is eager to reunite with former boss Roberto De Zerbi. His former side NAC Breda are awaiting an agreement as they hold a 7.5% sell-on clause. Reflecting on the match, van Hecke felt Holland dropped too deep after restoring their lead through Crysencio Summerville. “We scored two fantastic goals, but personally, I think we dropped back a little too much. You have to keep defending high up the pitch.”
“Tottenham target Jan Paul van Hecke suffered a kick to the eye that affected his vision in Holland's World Cup draw, while Spurs confirmed Marcos Senesi's free transfer.”
While the van Hecke deal remains unresolved, De Zerbi has already strengthened his defence with the free transfer of Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth. The 29-year-old Argentina international, capped three times, rejected three contract offers from the Cherries to leave earlier this season. “From the first moment, the club has shown why they want me and how much they want me to be a part of what they are building,” Senesi said after completing his move, which becomes official on 1 July subject to international clearance. “Every time I step on the pitch, I will do my best to make the fans proud and to take the club back to the place it belongs. I want to win things with Tottenham.”
Senesi is Tottenham’s second summer signing after Andy Robertson arrived on a free from Liverpool, and Ben Davies, 33, has agreed a new one-year deal. De Zerbi, who has overseen back-to-back 17th-placed Premier League finishes, said Senesi will “strengthen” the side. “He’s comfortable playing in a possession-based team, reads the game very well and has the personality to thrive in a demanding environment. I also love his mentality and desire to keep improving.” Meanwhile, midfielder Yves Bissouma, 29, will leave this summer after 90 Premier League appearances following his reported £30m move from Brighton in 2022.