Tottenham Hotspur Receive Major Boost in the Race to Sign Premier League Star | OneFootball

Tottenham Given Encouragement in Pursuit of Van Hecke as Brighton Talks Stall

Van Hecke Stalls Brighton Deal as Spurs Circle

Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke, with the Dutchman delaying contract talks at the Amex. According to Give Me Sport, “Tottenham have been handed a big boost in their bid to sign Van Hecke in January, according to GMS sources, as he has delayed penning a new contract at Premier League counterparts Brighton due to wanting to discover whether he will be the subject of concrete offers during the winter transfer window.”

It is a development that will interest Thomas Frank and the Spurs recruitment staff, particularly as they look to build defensive stability to match the attacking reinforcements brought in over the summer. Van Hecke, who featured 39 times across all competitions last season, is now into the final two years of his contract and earning a reported £50,000 per week, an opportunity Spurs appear ready to explore.

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Interest Growing as January Window Nears

Van Hecke is attracting interest from several Premier League clubs, with GMS sources noting that “Tottenham are showing interest in Van Hecke… and there is a growing expectation that he will choose to leave Brighton.” Spurs are not alone, however. Liverpool and Newcastle United are also monitoring the situation, intrigued by the possibility of securing the 25-year-old for a reduced fee in January.

That growing list of admirers is not surprising. Former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi labelled him “incredible,” and his consistent performances last season underlined that praise. Now, with Champions League clubs circling, the centre-back has every reason to take his time before committing to new terms with Brighton.

Spurs Looking to Strengthen Central Defence

While Tottenham added Randal Kolo Muani on loan from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day, centre-back has remained an area of active consideration. Spurs already boast youthful options like Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero, but injuries and inconsistency last season exposed a lack of depth in the heart of defence.

Van Hecke fits the profile Frank appears to favour: composed in possession, physically capable and tactically versatile. He also brings experience from a loan spell at Blackburn Rovers, where he was a standout performer in the Championship. At 25, he is entering his prime and would arrive as a player ready to contribute immediately, while also developing further in a high-pressure environment.

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Lookman Interest on Ice

In addition to defensive reinforcements, Tottenham had also been linked with Ademola Lookman during the closing stages of the window. However, as reported by GMS, “GMS sources recently revealed that the north Londoners have decided they are unlikely to make a fresh approach to land Ademola Lookman.”

This may indicate that their January focus will shift entirely toward securing Van Hecke, particularly if Brighton fail to convince the Dutchman to renew his deal before the turn of the year.

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For Spurs fans, this move makes strategic sense. Jan Paul van Hecke would not arrive as a marquee signing, but his acquisition would reflect a clever, value-driven approach. Tottenham’s defensive fragility in recent seasons has often come down to lack of squad depth and injuries, and Van Hecke offers immediate reliability as well as potential for long-term growth.

What will encourage many supporters is the apparent intent to act early. Spurs have been passive in previous windows, particularly in defence, and this reported interest suggests the current leadership are learning from past mistakes.

Concerns will remain about the competition. Liverpool’s interest, if formalised, may prove difficult to counter given their Champions League status and allure. But Spurs have a clear opportunity here. If they make the right pitch and show Van Hecke he can become a central figure at Hotspur Way, they may just steal a march on their rivals.

For a club still navigating the post-Kane era and embedding a new tactical identity, reinforcing the spine with players like Van Hecke could prove decisive.