Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke has confirmed there was interest from the Premier League this summer.
[Voetbalzone](https://www.voetbalzone.nl/nieuws/jan-paul-van-hecke-over-erling-haaland-oranje-en-de-premier-league/bltec36da7af90c2153) have comments from the centre-back today in a wide-ranging interview about life at Brighton, Premier League strikers, the Netherlands national team and potential transfers.
Deadline day passed on Monday evening with him remaining with the Seagulls despite links regarding a move away from Brighton this summer.
He’s found himself earning admirers after impressing in the Premier League with Brighton in recent years, with some in the Netherlands even comparing him to Jaap Stam.
A report at the end of July stated that Newcastle had already made contact about a €50m deal with Brighton and that he was interested in joining a Champions League club.
Tottenham Hotspur were also pulled into the mix amid doubts about Cristian Romero’s future. The Argentine defender had been linked with a move to Atletico Madrid for much of the summer but ultimately signed a new deal at Spurs to end such rumours.
Van Hecke is not worried about not securing a move, insisting he’s happy where he is despite admitting that there was interest.
_“There were rumours and some contact,”_ he said.
_“That contact was from the Premier League. But it quickly became clear that a transfer this summer wouldn’t happen. That’s fine, because I’m happy at Brighton._
_“My ambition is to stay here. I’ve been here for a few years now and I’m having a great time. The league suits me well, and I enjoy the atmosphere and the culture. I really feel at home. So, I don’t need to go to another country, unless, of course, some clubs come along that I can’t say no to._
_“I have ambitions to play at the highest possible level and want to give myself that chance. For now, I think this is the ideal situation. Hopefully, it will be a good season and a World Cup; then we’ll see. It’s difficult to look a year ahead, of course.”_