· 3 September 2025, 14:00
**Newcastle United were linked with many, many players this summer, with varying degrees of validity.**
We can't really complain about the players that Newcastle did eventually bring in this summer, despite seeing some exciting players move elsewhere, or in the case of Jan Paul van Hecke, stay put at their current club.
The Brighton and Hove Albion centre-back was reportedly targeted by Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur, but now that the transfer window is closed, he remains a Brighton player.
Jan Paul van Hecke was Brighton's player of the season last year, so it seemed highly unlikely that they would have been open to a sale this summer.
Jan Paul van Hecke had no intention of leaving Brighton this summer
Jan Paul van Hecke feels he made the right call to stay at Brighton
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Now that it's confirmed that he is staying put, the defender has spoken to [Votebalzone](https://www.voetbalzone.nl/nieuws/jan-paul-van-hecke-over-erling-haaland-oranje-en-de-premier-league/bltec36da7af90c2153) about the interest he received this summer and his decision to reject the chance to move to Tottenham or Newcastle.
> "There were rumours and some contact. 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.
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> "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."
Jan Paul van Hecke could still be an option for Newcastle in January
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Newcastle may feel encouraged by van Hecke's words, suggesting that he may still move if an offer too good to turn down comes in; however, with Champions League football on offer this summer and van Hecke deciding to remain at Brighton, it does feel like he's looking at one of the top tier clubs like Barcelona, which may be aiming a bit high.
Eddie Howe ultimately brought in Malick Thiaw to fill that gap in the defence, but with Dan Burn, Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles all the wrong side of 30, there could still be scope to bring in another one or two reinforcements for that position in upcoming windows.
Whether Jan Paul van Hecke is an option, only time will tell. It will all depend on how well he does this season, and how far apart Newcastle and Brighton are in the league when the next window opens.