All the latest transfer and contract news for Brighton and Hove Albion
Brighton and their star defender Jan Paul van Hecke have a huge transfer decision to make this summer.
The Albion centre back has once again been excellent for the Seagulls and has made 32 starts from his 32 Premier League appearances this season. He also has three goals and three assists to his name.
Van Hecke will have just 12 months remaining on his contract after this season and so far there is little news on the club and player reaching an agreement for a new deal.
Head coach Fabian Hurzeler said last week that talks are “positive” but Van Hecke is said to be extremely ambitious and has already attracted the attention of some big clubs - including Liverpool, Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea.
The 25-year-old Dutch international is also expected to feature for his country at the summer's World Cup - placing him further in the shop window.
Van Hecke joined Brighton in 2020 for around £2m from NAC Breda and has had loans with Heerenveen and Blackburn.
He has 127 appearances for Albion and has a guide price on £60m. He has been tipped as a future captain for Brighton but this summer is said to be crunch time for him and the club.
Brighton’s centre back situation
Albion's situation at centre back is an interesting one and if Van Hecke does depart, the club may look to dip into the transfer market.
Lewis Dunk has another year on his contract but the skipper is now 34 and Albion will have to start planning for the future.
Experienced defender Adam Webster is also battling his way back from an ACL injury but he is out of contract this summer and faces an uncertain future.
Olivier Boscagli has impressed when given the opportunity this season. The Frenchman, who joined a free from PSV last summer, started in the 3-0 win against Chelsea and kept Dunk out of the team.
Boscagli is a classy defender but may just lack the physicality that Dunk and van Hecke bring.
Brazilian defender Igor Julio is expected to move on this summer and is doubtful if Erain Cashin, currently on loan at Blackburn, will be a regular in the Premier League next season with Brighton.
That leaves Diego Coppola, who is currently on loan at Paris FC, as another option.
Coppola is expected to return this summer but it's a tough ask to expect the young Italian to step up and potentially fill Van Hecke's boots next season.
Coppola has big potential but aside a few appearances earlier this term, is completely unproven in the Premier League.
Stones is a perfect fit for Brighton
A new signing could be Albion's best option and they could perhaps do much worse than look at England defender John Stones.
The 31-year-old Manchester City ace is out of contract this summer and is widely expected to leave the Etihad Stadium.
The six-time Premier League title winner has been out of action of late with a thigh injury but is said to be nearing full fitness and should be available for the World Cup this summer.
Brighton have made shrewd free transfer deals in the past especially for experienced and successful senior professionals, such as Danny Welbeck, Adam Lallana and James Milner. Pascal Gross, 34, is also thriving at Brighton once more after re-joining from Dortmund last January.
Those players still have the quality to perform on the pitch and add so much in terms of leadership and helping the younger players. Blending the young with the old has worked well for Brighton and Stones is player who could fall into that category for the Seagulls.
His injury record maybe a concern but he is still capable of performing at the top level and would be an excellent addition for Brighton id Van Hecke departs.
It would certainly by Brighton some time while the likes of Coppola develops.
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