TBR Football can exclusively confirm where Brighton & Hove Albion stand with Jan Paul van Hecke’s contract talks amid interest from the likes of Liverpool.
Jan Paul van Hecke has gone from strength to strength at Brighton, which has piqued the interest of Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle among others.
The Reds, Spurs and the Magpies are all interested in strengthening their defensive ranks, and Van Hecke has emerged as a player of interest.
With Van Hecke’s contract expiring in two years’ time, Brighton will hope they can tie him down to a new deal – but it’s proving difficult thus far.
Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty ImagesBrighton yet to make Jan Paul van Hecke contract breakthrough as Premier League suitors circle
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands that Brighton are working hard to persuade Dutch star Van Hecke to sign a new contract.
We are told that talks began at the turn of the year but, as yet, Brighton have been unable to finalise a deal to take him beyond his current contract which runs to 2027.
We can confirm that Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle have all shown an interest in van Hecke – who has also been on the radar of Bayern Munich.
“Van Hecke was outstanding last season and I am told his performances caught the eye of a host of clubs – he is certainly one to keep an eye on,” Bailey exclusively told TBR Football.
“Brighton are working hard on a new deal, and they had hoped it would be finalised by now.”
TBR Football confirmed back in April that Newcastle had their eye on Van Hecke at the time.
🇪🇺 Top 5 League Centre-backs : Progressive actions
🥇 J. van Hecke (Brighton, 24) — 414
🥈 Íñigo Martínez (Barcelona, 33) — 410
🥉 Marcos Alonso (Celta Vigo, 34) — 390
🏅 N. Schlotterbeck (Dortmund, 25) — 378
🏅 J. Andersen (Fulham, 28) — 364
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What Jan Paul van Hecke could bring to Liverpool, Newcastle or Tottenham
Van Hecke has considerable Premier League experience, having joined Brighton in 2020.
The 25-year-old has made 91 appearances for the Seagulls, including 70 in the English top flight and seven in the Europa League.
Van Hecke is a physical and tall centre-back known for his great positional play, superb tackling abilities, and willingness to put his body on the line.
The five-time Netherlands international is also a brilliant ball-playing defender who boasts impressive passing and ball-carrying skills.
The combination of Van Hecke’s talent, physicality, experience and age – he is yet to hit his prime as a centre-back – makes him an appealing option for the Premier League’s top clubs.