Tottenham prepare for Romero and van de Ven exit by targeting Premier League defender | OneFootball

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly preparing a substantial move for Brighton & Hove Albion’s standout defender, Jan Paul van Hecke. However, according to TEAMtalk, the North London club will face fierce competition from heavyweights Chelsea and Liverpool, who are also closely monitoring the 25-year-old Netherlands international.

Van Hecke’s stock has risen astronomically over the past two seasons on the South Coast.

Establishing himself as a fundamental piece of Brighton’s backline, his elite ball-playing abilities, aerial dominance, and aggressive front-foot defending earned him the club’s Player of the Season award for the 2024/25 campaign.

Van Hecke has shown incredible consistency

He followed that up with a stellar 2025/26 season, contributing heavily to build-up play while securing his place in the senior Dutch national team setup.

For Tottenham, the pursuit of van Hecke is driven by both tactical necessity and a desire for familiarity.

With persistent internal uncertainty surrounding the long-term futures of current defensive anchors Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, both of whom have been heavily linked with high-profile summer exits, Spurs are acutely aware of the need to reinforce their rearguard.

Crucially, Tottenham may hold a trump card in this high-stakes transfer battle, Roberto De Zerbi.

The tactician, who successfully managed van Hecke during their shared time at the Amex Stadium, is understood to be driving the interest.

De Zerbi’s system requires center-backs who are exceptionally comfortable in possession and brave enough to hold a high line, traits that perfectly align with van Hecke’s proven skill set and development path.

Tottenham face competition from rival clubs

Meanwhile, Chelsea and Liverpool’s involvement adds a layer of complexity to the impending negotiations. Both clubs are actively seeking to refresh their defensive options with Premier League-proven talent.

As the summer window approaches, van Hecke finds himself at the center of a high-profile transfer tug-of-war.

While Chelsea and Liverpool possess the financial muscle and pedigree to lure the 25-year-old away from Brighton, the prospect of reuniting with De Zerbi at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could prove decisive.