Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly struck a £52million agreement to secure Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke. Spurs are attempting to reunite head coach Roberto De Zerbi with his former Brighton centre-half and have seen multiple offers turned down by the Seagulls. The South Coast outfit were said to value Van Hecke at approximately £70million, despite the fact he has just 12 months remaining on his current deal.
However, The Athletic now report that a compromise has been reached with Brighton. Personal terms are not anticipated to pose any problems for the Netherlands international, who is currently representing his nation at this summer’s World Cup. It is also understood that Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic, for whom Brighton have seen a £35m bid rejected, is not included in the deal.
Van Hecke addressed his future ahead of the Netherlands’ 2-2 stalemate against Japan on Sunday. The former NAC Breda, Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers star is keen to avoid any distractions while he competes in North America. He said: “First of all, I just want to focus on the Dutch national team on Sunday.
“That is a very important match for us, for me. So that’s my focus until now. Of course, things are also playing, and I know that myself too. But that’s not for now, that’s more after the World Cup. I will then see where I play.
“I have also said very clearly that I would like to have clarity for myself before the World Cup. And I have that too. But then for now for myself it’s just clear. I just want to play the World Cup as well as possible. That clarity will probably come after the World Cup when I make that step, then it’s clear to everyone.”
The 26-year-old has been with Brighton since 2020 and was instrumental in their European qualification last season. Van Hecke featured in 36 of Brighton’s 38 Premier League fixtures during the 2025-26 campaign as they secured Conference League football by finishing eighth.
The transfer comes as Tottenham are reportedly pursuing Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali. A bombshell dropped late on Monday night when it emerged that Spurs are exploring a deal to sign the Italian, who is valued at £100m by the Magpies.
Arsenal and Manchester City are also keen on Tonali, but Spurs have spoken to his representatives and received encouragement he would be open to moving to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this summer.