Tottenham Hotspur has reportedly lodged a bid for Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, with the move potentially linking the Dutch international with his former manager, Roberto De Zerbi.
The news comes from a significant update by reputable journalist David Ornstein of The Athletic. According to Ornstein's post on X, Tottenham's initial offer for the 25-year-old defender was below Brighton's valuation and has been rejected. However, discussions are ongoing as both clubs aim to reach an agreement.
Van Hecke is described as being "close to Roberto De Zerbi," suggesting a strong existing relationship from their time together at Brighton. De Zerbi, who recently took the helm at Tottenham, is looking to bolster his squad after a challenging couple of seasons for the North London club.
Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation in the past two Premier League seasons, finishing 17th in both campaigns. While they secured a Europa League final win in the 2024/25 season, the 2025/26 season saw them confirmed safety only on the final day. The club aims to return to challenging at the top of the league, and securing a player like Van Hecke could be a key step in De Zerbi's plans for the upcoming transfer window.
