Tottenham Hotspur have tabled an offer to sign Brighton & Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke. The 25-year-old Dutchman has developed into one of the league's standout defenders under Roberto De Zerbi, who worked with him during his time on the south coast. Across the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, Van Hecke anchored Brighton's backline, amassing 3,211 minutes, posting an impressive 87% passing accuracy and winning a combined 209 duels. His familiarity with De Zerbi's high-risk, build-from-the-back approach makes him a seamless, plug-and-play leader for a changing dressing room. Securing Van Hecke will be no straightforward task, given Brighton's reputation for demanding premium fees for their top assets. However, Tottenham hold an advantage as the defender's contract expires next year and he has so far shown no willingness to sign fresh terms. Tactically, Van Hecke offers the blend of defensive steel and progressive distribution that Tottenham lacked during their recent relegation scare. While Spurs have seen their opening bid for the Dutchman rejected, negotiations with Brighton are set to continue. Should Tottenham get a deal over the line, Van Hecke would arrive as the cornerstone of a potential new central defensive partnership alongside incoming signing Marcos Senesi.