Tottenham Hotspur are edging closer to signing Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, with the Dutch defender having reportedly decided that Spurs are his only desired destination, per Voetbal International.
Despite the transfer window yet to officially open, Tottenham have been moving swiftly to reshape their squad under Roberto De Zerbi, determined to escape the mediocrity of back-to-back 17th-place Premier League finishes.
Andy Robertson has already committed to the club on a free transfer — a deal agreed as far back as January — while Fabrizio Romano reports that fellow free agent Marcos Senesi is also set to complete his move in the coming days. With those arrivals secured, the club’s focus has shifted to more costly targets capable of genuinely elevating the squad.
De Zerbi has made no secret of the fact that significant changes are required, and Spurs will also have the advantage of no European commitments in 2026-27. The blueprint is clear — Manchester United’s third-place finish last season, unburdened by continental football, is not lost on anyone at the club.
Van Hecke Has Eyes Only For Spurs
Brighton CEO Paul Barber confirmed over the weekend that the Seagulls had already turned down two Tottenham offers for Van Hecke, who is valued at around £70 million. Despite reported interest from other Premier League sides and previous contact with Liverpool, the 26-year-old has made up his mind — it is Tottenham or nothing.
Following direct talks with De Zerbi, Van Hecke is eager for a reunion with the Italian coach. Personal terms are said to be agreed, with only a fee between the two clubs remaining as a stumbling block. The defender is reportedly keen to wrap up the transfer quickly, allowing him to focus fully on the Netherlands’ World Cup campaign with his club future settled.
Savinho Personal Terms Also Done
Tottenham’s attacking ambitions are equally advanced. According to Romano, Spurs are progressing on a deal for Manchester City winger Savinho — a target they first pursued a year ago. An Italian journalist has now claimed that the Brazilian has already put pen to paper on personal terms for a five-year deal, with only a club agreement left to finalise, mirroring the Van Hecke situation.
Savinho, who operates predominantly on the left wing but can function on the right, would add another dimension to De Zerbi’s attacking options, competing with Mathys Tel and Dejan Kulusevski for a starting berth.
