The Telegraph’s Matt Law has revealed why Tottenham Hotspur have been unapposed by their Premier League rivals in their efforts to secure the services of Jan Paul Van Hecke.
Spurs have made a quick start to the transfer window, with Marcos Senesi expected to follow Andy Robertson through the door as a free agent.
Tottenham are now expected to place a third bid of around £50m for Van Hecke after seeing their opening two offers for the centre-back turned down by Brighton.
Spurs are optimistic about landing the Dutchman, and it has now emerged that one factor has given a bid advantage to the Lilywhites in the race for the 25-year-old.
Clubs believe Jan Paul Van Hecke only wants Tottenham move
One may have expected Tottenham to face more competition for the Netherlands international, given his contract situation and the consistency he has shown at the Amex Stadium.
Matt Law has now revealed on the Last Word On Spurs podcast that Van Hecke’s other suitors pulled out of the deal since they believed that the defender only wanted to reunite with De Zerbi at Tottenham.
Law said about the Brighton star: “He is almost like De Zerbi’s son, he’s so enthralled by De Zerbi. Some of the clubs who are interested in him have just backed away, they feel it’s not worth trying to get him whilst De Zerbi is trying to get him.”
What Roberto De Zerbi and Van Hecke have said about each other in the past
Van Hecke sent a touching message to De Zerbi when the Italian left Brighton two years ago, stating on social media that the 46-year-old had changed his life.
The Tottenham boss also regularly sang the centre-back’s praises during his Brighton days, admitting that he and his coaching staff had been surprised by the Dutchman.
It is thus clear De Zerbi is the one driving Tottenham’s pursuit of Van Hecke, and the fact that the Lilywhites are willing to put down £50m on a player with a year left on his contract shows just how badly the Italian wants to reunite with the defender.
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