Tottenham are expected to launch a fresh bid for Jan Paul van Hecke while Brighton are also eyeing Spurs youngster Luka Vuskovic after making a £30million offer
Jan Paul van Hecke wants to join Tottenham – but he is also keen to avoid distractions ahead of his World Cup debut with Holland.
The Brighton centre-back, who has already been the subject of two rejected Spurs bids, looks set to partner Virgil van Dijk at the back for Oranje against Japan.
He insists he already has “clarity” on his future, hinting a reunion with Roberto De Zerbi is only a matter of time.
Van Hecke said before the Netherlands’ Group F opener: “First of all, I just want to focus on the Dutch national team on Sunday.
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“That is a very important match for us, for me. So that’s my focus until now. Of course, things are also playing, and I know that myself too. But that’s not for now, that’s more after the World Cup. I will then see where I play.
“I have also said very clearly that I would like to have clarity for myself before the World Cup. And I have that too. But then for now for myself it’s just clear. I just want to play the World Cup as well as possible.
“That clarity will probably come after the World Cup when I make that step, then it’s clear to everyone.”
Ronald Koeman has been so impressed with Van Hecke since his international debut in 2024, Micky van de Ven – his potential new club team-mate – has been permanently shifted to left-back.
Van Hecke will also fulfil a childhood dream when he makes his World Cup bow.
His uncle Jan Poortvliet, a flying full-back, played in Holland’s 3-1 1978 World Cup final defeat to Argentina in Buenos Aires.
For that reason, he never forgets his roots and he’s also relishing the fact former club NAC Breda will benefit financially from his impending transfer to north London as they have a 7.5 per cent sell-on clause.
The Dutchman continued: “My story is special anyway, because I was still playing as a main class amateur at 17.
“We were promoted then and that is of course special now that you take such a step and very nice amounts will eventually go back to where you started.
“Of course those people are watching and thinking about that amount!”
Koeman is hopeful Van Hecke’s Brighton team-mate Bart Verbruggen will be fit to start in goal despite a recent hip injury.
Albion are also in contact with Spurs about signing Luka Vuskovic, who the Seagulls would be willing to pay up to £30million for.
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