Spurs agree £52m Van Hecke deal with Brighton

Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion for the transfer of Dutch defender Jan Paul van Hecke for £52 million. The 26-year-old started for the Netherlands in their 2-2 World Cup draw against Japan on Sunday. Van Hecke has one year remaining on his current Brighton contract and has shown no desire to extend it. Brighton had previously rejected one offer for the player, who joined them from NAC Breda in 2020. However, they have now accepted Tottenham's bid, which should pave the way for Van Hecke to reunite with former Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi in north London. Van Hecke made 131 appearances for the Seagulls and started 36 of 38 Premier League games for Fabian Hurzeler's side last season, helping them secure an eighth-place finish. That secured European qualification for only the second time in the club's history. Tottenham have already strengthened De Zerbi's squad in an effort to improve on successive 17th-placed finishes. Scotland defender Andy Robertson has already signed from Liverpool, with Argentine centre-half Marcos Senesi agreeing a move from Bournemouth.