Spurs expected back for Van Hecke after first Brighton bid fails

Brighton expect Tottenham to return with another bid for Jan Paul van Hecke after rejecting Spurs’ initial offer, BBC Sport reported on Thursday.^{T2 - BBC Sport}

That makes Van Hecke the next defensive file to watch in north London. Spurs have already signed Andy Robertson on a free transfer following his Liverpool exit, with BBC Sport reporting that the Scotland captain will become a Tottenham player on 1 July.^{T2 - BBC Sport} Robertson addresses experience and left-side leadership. Van Hecke would address the centre-back spine.

The De Zerbi link is direct. BBC Sport says Tottenham’s new manager Roberto de Zerbi is keen to be reunited with Van Hecke after working with him at Brighton.^{T2 - BBC Sport} That is why this rumour is more than generic centre-back shopping. De Zerbi knows the player, the player knows the build-up demands, and Spurs need defenders who can survive with the ball as well as without it.

Brighton have leverage, even with a contract clock. Van Hecke has one year left on his deal and is part of the Netherlands World Cup squad. BBC Sport reports that Brighton value him at around GBP70m.^{T2 - BBC Sport} That number is high, but Brighton’s recent selling record explains the posture. Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella and Joao Pedro all left for fees above GBP50m, and Brighton rarely let the market write the price for them.

The internal Brighton picture matters too. Chief executive Paul Barber is handling outgoing transfers after sporting director Jason Ayto’s unexpected exit, BBC Sport reports.^{T2 - BBC Sport} That puts negotiation control in experienced hands at a club already known for hard-line bargaining.

For Spurs, the question is sequencing. Robertson on a free gives them an experienced left-back without using the centre-back budget. Van Hecke would be a different kind of investment, a starter-level defender with Premier League minutes, World Cup visibility and resale logic.

The first bid being rejected was expected. The second bid will reveal whether Spurs see Van Hecke as a De Zerbi priority or simply a preferred option at the right price.

MercatoWire files this as Tier 2 live interest with a rejected first offer. No agreement, no accepted fee, no player medical. The next test is Tottenham’s second number.