Spurs agree £52m deal for Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke

Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £52m deal with Brighton for Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke. The 26-year-old, who started for the Netherlands in their 2-2 draw with Japan at the World Cup, is set to link up with Roberto de Zerbi in north London.

Van Hecke had only one year left on his Brighton contract and had shown no interest in extending it, which helped open the door to a move. Brighton had already rejected an earlier offer, but they have now accepted Spurs’ bid and will also benefit from a sell-on clause if the player is later sold.

The defender made 131 appearances for Brighton after joining from NAC Breda in 2020. He was a key part of Fabian Hurzeler’s side last season, starting 36 of their 38 Premier League matches as they finished eighth and secured European qualification for only the second time in the club’s history.

Spurs have been reshaping De Zerbi’s squad after two 17th-place finishes, and Van Hecke is the latest addition. Scotland defender Andy Robertson has already arrived from Liverpool, while Argentine centre-back Marcos Senesi has also agreed a move from Bournemouth.

The new arrivals leave Tottenham with a crowded centre-back group. Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, Radu Dragusin and 19-year-old Luka Vuskovic are all already on the books, creating uncertainty over who stays, who goes and who becomes part of De Zerbi’s long-term plans.

Romero remains a major figure after captaining Spurs to the Europa League title in 2025, their first trophy in 17 years. But his availability has often been an issue, with injuries and suspensions limiting his Premier League appearances. Dragusin’s future is also unclear after injury problems and reports of interest from elsewhere.

If Romero or Dragusin leave, De Zerbi would still have Van Hecke, Senesi, Van de Ven and Danso, plus the option of keeping Vuskovic or moving him on loan. With so many defenders in the squad, Spurs may even consider a back five.