Tottenham agree deal for Brighton defender van Hecke | OneFootball

Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke.

Van Hecke has one-year left on his contract at the South Coast side, with the deal reported to be around £52 million. The Netherlands international will become Roberto De Zerbi’s third signing of the summer after the acquisitions of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively.

The 26-year-old played 50 matches under the Italian during his time as Brighton boss between 2023 and 2024, and the deal would represent a major profit on the defender, after the Seagulls signed him for £1.8m from NAC Breda in 2020. He started 36 of Brighton’s 38 matches in the Premier League as he helped Fabian Hurzeler’s side to eighth place and a spot in the UEFA Conference League.

The Athletic reported that personal terms are not expected to be an issue for the Dutchman, who is currently representing his country at the World Cup, and started for the Netherlands in their tournament opener, a 2-2 draw against Japan. Any deal for the defender will not include Croatian youngster Luka Vuskovic, who was subject to a £35 million bid from Brighton earlier in June, which was rejected by Spurs.

Van Hecke has made 131 appearances for Brighton, with 106 of those coming in the Premier League and