Tottenham Hotspur target Jan Paul van Hecke has been in discussions with Netherlands teammate Micky van de Ven regarding a potential move to north London, as Spurs gear up for a third bid for the Brighton & Hove Albion defender.
Transfer Talks Intensify
Spurs have already seen two offers rejected for the 24-year-old centre-back, who is reportedly eager to reunite with former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Brighton chief executive Paul Barber confirmed on Sunday that multiple clubs are tracking the Dutch international, who is said to have a £70 million price tag.
Reports in the Dutch media on Sunday evening suggested that Van Hecke is prioritising interest from Spurs over other suitors, with some outlets claiming that personal terms have already been agreed.
World Cup Conversations
Van Hecke is currently with the Netherlands squad in the United States preparing for the 2026 World Cup. Oranje teammate Van de Ven, who plays for Tottenham, revealed that the pair discussed the potential move.
"I did talk to Jan Paul briefly about Tottenham," Van de Ven said during a press conference in White Plains, New York. "I think it is a good step for him."
Van Hecke is believed to want to finalise his future before the World Cup begins on Thursday with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa. The Netherlands start their campaign against Japan on Sunday.
Koeman's Stance
Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman expressed his desire for players to have clarity regarding their club situations to avoid distractions. "Ideally, I would prefer a player to have peace of mind regarding his club. And that there is clarity about the future. But I cannot stop it," Koeman told reporters.
