Brighton’s Dutch defensive stalwart rejects contract extension and eyes move elsewhere | OneFootball

Jan Paul van Hecke will not be extending his contract with Brighton. According to VI’s Joost Blaauwhof, inside reports suggest the defender received several offers, but the 25-year-old appears to prefer a new move. Insiders have confirmed this.

Van Hecke has been under contract with the Seagulls for five years. The club paid NAC Breda around 2.5 million euros in the summer of 2020 to pry the defender from the Keuken Kampioen Divisie. After a successful spell, the Zeeland native now appears to be opening the door for a departure.

Particularly impressive in the Premier League in 2024-25, Van Hecke earned a debut for the Dutch national team. This attracted the defender to several top international clubs. Subsequently, Brighton desperately wanted to extend his contract. The Premier League club even wanted to make him the highest-paid player, but the Dutchman isn’t interested. Van Hecke reportedly dreams of playing in the Champions League and believes that won’t happen with Brighton.

While the defender won’t necessarily force a transfer, his contract will not be renewed, multiple sources have confirmed. This has opened the eyes of other Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur. Brighton’s asking price is reportedly around €50 million.

After negotiating a 7.5 per cent sell-on fee, NAC will be closely monitoring the situation too. As a result, this potential transfer for Van Hecke would provide the Breda side with a significant capital injection and, also, would become the club’s record sale.

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield