Brighton rejects two Tottenham bids for Jan Paul van Hecke

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber said Tottenham have had two bids rejected for Dutch centre back Jan Paul van Hecke. The club's stance shows they consider the defender a key asset.

Van Hecke joined Brighton from NAC Breda for £2 million in 2020. He is entering the final year of his contract and is valued at around £50 million. Liverpool and Newcastle have also been linked with the player.

Barber explained that Brighton must make trades that fit their model and support Fabian Hurzeler for another big season. He noted Brighton finished eighth in the Premier League in each of the last two campaigns and qualified for a European competition. The club aims to progress deep in that competition while maintaining league performance.

Tottenham have already secured Andy Robertson on a free transfer from Liverpool. They expect Marcos Senesi to arrive on a free from Bournemouth. Van Hecke would represent a Premier League‑proven, physically assured, technically comfortable signing at an age where development can still pair with reliability.

Tottenham’s defensive structure was described as fragile last season. Cristian Romero’s future is under scrutiny after suspensions, injury absence and travel to Argentina affected his standing. The club now faces questions of trust, availability and leadership in defence.

Brighton’s warning makes clear that any offer must match their valuation. The £50 million price tag divides supporters, with some calling it steep for a player in the final contract year and others arguing reliability commands cost. Two rejected bids indicate Tottenham are testing the market, and their next move will reveal whether they treat the target as a priority.