Brighton CEO Paul Barber has shared big developments regarding Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Jan Paul Van Hecke.
Spurs have already strengthened their backline with the additions of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, and they are now attempting to add more Premier League experience to their defence.
It has been reported over recent days that Van Hecke is keen on reuniting with Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham after entering the final year of his contract with Brighton.
Over the last 24 hours, some sources have claimed that Spurs are preparing a second offer for the Brighton centre-back after the Seagulls rejected their first.
Brighton have rejected Tottenham’s second offer for Jan Paul Van Hecke
Paul Barber has now confirmed that the South Coast club have also sent back the Lilywhites’ second offer for the Dutch centre-back.
He revealed that there is no shortage of interest in the 25-year-old, but insisted that Brighton would only sell the player if their valuation is met.
When asked about the rumours linking Van Hecke with a move to Spurs, Barber told talkSPORT: “There’s always going to be a lot of interest in our best players, and certainly in the case of Jan Paul.
“Again, we’ve been very clear that interest has been ongoing for a while, it’s coming from multiple sources, but yes, we have rejected a bid from Tottenham over the last week or so, in fact, two bids.
“As I said, it has to be right for us, as well as for the player; we have to be in a position to make the best trades to suit our model.”
How much have Spurs offered for Van Hecke so far?
A report from the Netherlands claimed a few days ago that Tottenham had offered £35m for Van Hecke and were prepared to go higher for the centre-back.
It is unclear if that was the Lilywhites’ opening or the second offer, but several sources have claimed that Spurs and Brighton remain locked in talks over the defender.
Some reports have even suggested that Tottenham may attempt a double deal for Van Hecke and Bart Verbruggen, as they step up their rebuild.