Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is reportedly considering a bold January transfer move to strengthen his defensive options, with a significant bid for a Brighton star on the cards.
Spurs Target £40m Brighton Defender
According to reports from TEAMtalk, Spurs are preparing a £40million offer for Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke. The 25-year-old Dutch international has become a pivotal figure for the Seagulls since breaking into their first-team in 2022.
Van Hecke is under contract at the AMEX Stadium until the summer of 2027, placing Brighton in a strong negotiating position. The defender, who has eight caps for the Netherlands, joined the club in 2020 from NAC Breda and gained valuable experience via loans to SC Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers before establishing himself as a key player.
A Potential Player-Plus-Cash Solution
Recognising Brighton's reluctance to sell a key asset to a direct rival, the suggestion is that Tottenham could propose a swap deal to sweeten the offer. The player potentially involved is long-serving Spurs defender Ben Davies.
The 32-year-old Welshman's contract at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium expires in June 2026, and his long-term future under Frank appears uncertain. With over 350 appearances for the club since his 2014 move from Swansea City, Davies offers vast Premier League experience.
For Brighton, he could represent a shrewd short-term defensive solution, providing leadership and stability as they seek a long-term replacement for Van Hecke.
Frank's Inconsistent Start in North London
The transfer speculation comes amid a mixed beginning to Thomas Frank's tenure at Spurs. The Dane, who was appointed in the summer after leaving Brentford, has seen his side make an inconsistent start to the Premier League campaign.
After 14 fixtures, Tottenham sit 11th in the table. Their last outing was a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle United, where defender Cristian Romero scored both of their goals. Securing a defender of Van Hecke's calibre could be seen as a move to solidify a backline that has conceded 24 league goals so far this season.
