The Seagulls are holding firm on their star defender as Roberto De Zerbi faces a tough battle to reunite with the Dutchman and bolster Spurs' struggling backline.
Tottenham Hotspur have an early bid in their summer rebuilding plans rejected after Brighton & Hove Albion turned down an initial offer for defender Jan Paul van Hecke, according to Football Expert, David Ornstein.
The Dutch centre-back has emerged as one of Spurs’ primary targets under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who is keen to strengthen a defence that struggled throughout the last campaign. However, Brighton is not looking to sell one of their most important players. The undisclosed offer was seen to be under Brighton's valuation, according to Ornstein.
Van Hecke, 25, has developed into one of the Premier League’s most consistent defenders and is regarded internally at Brighton as a cornerstone of the club. The former NAC Breda player enjoyed another impressive season on the south coast, attracting interest from several clubs, including Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Tottenham hope that Roberto De Zerbi's previous time with the player will play a big part in the recruitment process and see him choose a move to North London rather than any other option that will no doubt come his way this summer.
Despite the rejection, Tottenham are not expected to abandon their interest. Spurs officials regard Van Hecke as one of the best central defenders available in the Premier League and believe his age, experience and leadership qualities justify a significant investment.
Brighton, meanwhile, is under no immediate financial pressure to sell and remains confident it can keep hold of the defender for at least another season. The club has built a reputation for driving hard bargains in the transfer market and is reluctant to lose another key figure without securing maximum value.
For Tottenham, the rejection represents a reminder of the challenges facing De Zerbi as he attempts to reshape the squad. Defensive reinforcements are considered a priority, and for De Zerbi, securing one of the league's best could be pivotal.
Born in Arnemuiden in the Netherlands, Jan Paul van Hecke began his career with local clubs before joining NAC Breda in 2018 and making his senior debut in 2019. Brighton signed the centre-back in 2020, immediately loaning him to SC Heerenveen, where he gained Eredivisie experience. A second loan spell at Blackburn Rovers proved a breakthrough, earning him the club’s Player of the Season award in 2021-22. Returning to Brighton & Hove Albion, he established himself as a Premier League regular, became a Netherlands international and emerged as one of England’s most highly rated defenders.
