Roberto De Zerbi wants to reunite with an experienced centre-back at Tottenham Hotspur this summer, but one of the Lilywhites’ rivals are determined to ruin the Italian’s plans.
Tottenham may be set for wholesale changes to their backline this summer, with reports indicating that Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero could both exit Spurs.
Many Tottenham fans are excited about the prospect of seeing Luka Vuskovic back in North London next season on the back of his outstanding displays on loan at Hamburg.
However, it has emerged that De Zerbi also wants to bring an experienced defender through the door ahead of his first full season at the club.
Newcastle want to beat Tottenham to Jan Paul van Hecke
It emerged last week that Roberto De Zerbi wants to reunite with Jan Paul van Hecke at Spurs this summer, with the Dutch defender having just a year left on his contract in the South Coast.
However, according to Football Insider, Newcastle could throw a spanner into Spurs’ plans as they too have set their sights on the 25-year-old centre-back.
The Magpies have are now ‘trying to position themselves towards the front of the queue’ for Van Hecke as he contemplates a big move this summer.
The outlet states that Eddie Howe’s men are ready to undertake a major rebuild this summer, and they want the Brighton man to be a part of the project.
They are expected to have the funds to complete a deal as the Newcastle owners get ready to sanction a big summer spend.
Brighton trying to tie down Van Hecke to a new contract
Football Insider make it clear that the Seagulls’ priority is to tie down the Netherlands international to a new contract before the summer.
However, if Fabian Hurzeler’s side do not make any progress in contract talks with Van Hecke, they will cash in on him this summer rather than wait until January.
The publication adds that as things stand, the centre-back is unlikely to sign a new deal at the South Coast club as the interest in his services intensifies.