Jan Paul van Hecke: Tottenham in talks with Brighton over defender and also could make move for Man City winger Savinho

Tottenham are in talks with Brighton over the signing of centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke.

Reports elsewhere claim an opening bid from Spurs has been rejected.

The Dutch international has one year left on his contract at Brighton and worked at the south coast club under current Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi.

Brighton signed Van Hecke from NAC Breda for an initial fee of £1.8m in 2020.

Last week, Sky Sports News revealed Spurs are edging closer to the free signing of Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi, while they are hopeful on completing a deal for January target Andy Robertson, who has left Liverpool.

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Tottenham are also considering making an offer for Manchester City's Savinho. Spurs have been very interested in signing the winger since last summer.

No direct approach to City has yet been made but Sky Sports News understands one could come in the next few days.

Tottenham also want a central midfielder who can pass from deep, and are among the clubs who like Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough.

Analysis: De Zerbi's transfer plan clear at Spurs

Sky Sports' Sam Blitz:

You don't need to be a rocket scientist to work out what Tottenham are trying to do in this transfer window: Roberto De Zerbi is looking for centre-backs who are better on the ball.

In making a bid for Van Hecke - while also edging closer to a free transfer for Bournemouth's Marcos Senesi - Spurs are looking for excellent ball progressors in the first phase of play.

In Senesi and Van Hecke, De Zerbi is targeting two of the Premier League's best in this specific area. These were the top two players in the league last season for bypassing defenders by passing the ball.

Quite simply, they are able to soak up pressure at the back and take opposition players out the game by putting the ball through the lines.

Under Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth, Senesi was used to a very direct, vertical style of play where he would punch the ball through the thirds quickly.

Van Hecke, meanwhile, is accustomed to De Zerbi's intense style of play having played 50 matches under the Italian during their time together at Brighton.

That work has been built on by Fabian Hurzeler, who told Sky Sports in 2024: "It helps that the coach I had here before was De Zerbi because he integrated this style of play," when asked about his defenders playing out from the back in dangerous areas.

Spurs getting two ball-playing defenders is a sign that this is something they feel they lack. The numbers back that up. Senesi and Van Hecke are a level above Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven in terms of passing ability.

If Spurs end up getting both players, what will it mean for Spurs' current centre-halves?

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Jan Paul van Hecke: Tottenham in talks with Brighton over defender and also could make move for Man City winger Savinho