Tottenham Hotspur are moving with purpose in the transfer market this summer, with head coach Roberto De Zerbi keen to have his new signings in place as early as possible to maximise pre-season preparation time.
Even before the window officially opens, Spurs have already secured agreements for Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, with both defenders set to arrive on free transfers from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively at the end of June. Defensive reinforcement is clearly a top priority, and Tottenham took another significant step forward on Thursday by submitting an offer for Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke — though Brighton swiftly rejected the initial proposal, considering it well short of their £70 million valuation.
Despite that early setback, the situation appears to be developing positively behind the scenes. Dutch publication Voetbal International reports that Tottenham have already agreed personal terms with Van Hecke, with the focus now shifting to reaching a fee agreement with Brighton. There is growing confidence within the camp that a deal could be finalised before the World Cup kicks off in North America next week.
The 25-year-old Dutch international is understood to be eager for a new challenge and is particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of reuniting with De Zerbi, under whom he flourished during the Italian’s tenure at Brighton between 2022 and 2024. Van Hecke made 131 appearances for the Seagulls and started 36 Premier League matches last season, earning widespread recognition for his composure in possession, aerial ability, and physical presence at the back. De Zerbi is said to regard him as a central figure in Tottenham’s long-term rebuild.
With Van Hecke entering the final year of his contract, Brighton face the risk of losing him for nothing next summer if no agreement is reached. While that increases Spurs’ leverage, Brighton have a well-established reputation for extracting maximum value from player sales — as demonstrated in the high-profile departures of Moisés Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, and João Pedro. Tottenham may therefore need to close the gap through a creative package involving add-ons, bonuses, and performance-related clauses. With personal terms already secured, the ball is firmly in both clubs’ court as Spurs look to wrap up one of the summer’s most eagerly anticipated deals.
