Tottenham make transfer bid for £70m World Cup-bound Brighton star as Roberto De Zerbi targets reunion

Tottenham Hotspur have launched their pursuit of Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke by submitting an opening offer for the Netherlands international, with Roberto De Zerbi eager to reunite with one of his former stars.

The north London club are continuing their defensive rebuild ahead of the new season, but Brighton are expected to play hardball over one of their most valuable assets.

Spurs make opening move

According to reports from the Telegraph, Tottenham have submitted an initial bid for Van Hecke, although the proposal currently falls short of Brighton’s reported £70 million valuation.

Negotiations between the two Premier League clubs remain ongoing, with Spurs hopeful a compromise can eventually be reached.

The move is being heavily driven by De Zerbi, who worked closely with the centre-back during his spell in charge at Brighton. The Italian coach is understood to be keen on bringing in players already familiar with his tactical demands as he continues reshaping Tottenham’s squad.

Van Hecke has developed into one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders and is viewed as an ideal fit for De Zerbi’s possession-based system.

Contract uncertainty fuels speculation

Despite being under contract until June 2027, questions remain over Van Hecke’s long-term future at Brighton.

Reports suggest the defender has yet to agree fresh terms with the Seagulls, a situation that has inevitably attracted interest from rival clubs.

Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler previously revealed that discussions over a new contract were expected to take place, but no agreement has been announced.

That uncertainty could encourage Tottenham to continue testing Brighton’s resolve throughout the transfer window.

Brighton face major decision

Van Hecke is widely regarded as one of Brighton’s most valuable assets alongside goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen and midfielder Carlos Baleba.

Given the club’s reputation for generating significant transfer fees, Brighton are under no immediate pressure to sell and are expected to demand full market value before considering any deal.

The Seagulls have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to negotiate premium fees for key players, meaning Tottenham may need to substantially improve their offer if they want to secure the Dutchman’s signature.

World Cup spotlight increases interest

Tottenham’s approach comes at a significant moment in Van Hecke’s career as he prepares to represent the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup.

The defender recently featured in Ronald Koeman’s side during their warm-up fixture against Algeria and remains firmly in contention for a prominent role during the tournament.

A strong World Cup campaign could further enhance his reputation and potentially increase Brighton’s bargaining power in negotiations.

Since arriving from NAC Breda in 2020, Van Hecke has steadily progressed through loan spells at Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers before establishing himself as a first-team regular on the south coast.

His importance to Brighton was highlighted last season as he started 36 Premier League matches under Hurzeler, cementing his status as one of the division’s most consistent centre-backs.

With Tottenham stepping up their pursuit and the World Cup on the horizon, Van Hecke’s future is shaping up to be one of the major transfer stories of the summer.