Former Sunderland target set for £52m Tottenham move after Brighton agreement | OneFootball

Former Sunderland loan target Jan Paul van Hecke is set for a £52m move to Tottenham from Brighton.

According to Sunderland Echo, Brighton had rejected one offer for the centre-back but have now accepted Tottenham’s proposal, which is understood to include a significant sell-on clause. He has 12 months left on his contract and has shown no inclination to extend. He is expected to reunite with former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi in North London.

The 26-year-old was linked with Sunderland earlier in his Brighton career in a potential loan. He stayed put and developed into one of Brighton’s most reliable performers.

Signed from NAC Breda in 2020, Van Hecke has made 131 appearances for Brighton.

He started 36 of 38 Premier League matches last season as Fabian Hurzeler’s side finished eighth and secured European qualification for only the second time in the club’s history.

He also started for the Netherlands in their 2-2 draw with Japan at the World Cup on Sunday, underlining his rising international profile. The move would further highlight Brighton’s knack for developing talent and selling at a profit.

Source: Sunderland Echo