Former Sunderland loan target Jan Paul van Hecke set for £52m Tottenham switch | OneFootball

Jan Paul van Hecke is set to join Tottenham after Brighton accepted a £52 million deal for the defender, according to Sunderland Echo.

The 26-year-old was linked with Sunderland earlier in his Brighton career in a proposed loan, but stayed put and became one of the Seagulls’ most reliable performers.

He is closing in on a switch to north London, where he is expected to reunite with former Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi. With 12 months left on his contract and no desire to extend, Brighton had rebuffed an earlier bid, and the latest proposal is understood to include a significant sell-on clause.

Van Hecke joined from NAC Breda in 2020 and has made 131 appearances. He was integral last season, starting 36 of 38 Premier League games as Fabian Hurzeler’s side finished eighth and secured only the second European qualification 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 growing international profile.

His impending move underscores Brighton’s knack for developing players and selling at profit. Tottenham have already strengthened heavily this summer as they look to improve after successive 17th-placed finishes.

Source: Sunderland Echo