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Tottenham Hotspur have wasted no time getting their business done this summer.
Under Roberto De Zerbi, Spurs have already moved decisively in the transfer market, securing the signatures of two experienced Premier League defenders on free transfers.
Andy Robertson, who departed Liverpool at the end of the season, has verbally agreed terms to join the north London club – a deal Tottenham had been chasing since January before finally getting their man.
They have also wrapped up a deal for Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi, with Fabrizio Romano confirming the Argentine as a “done deal”.
Spurs have also turned their attention to the attacking third, opening formal negotiations with Manchester City for Brazilian winger Savinho. The 22-year-old is understood to be keen on the move to north London.
However, it is their move for Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke that has run into the first obstacle of their summer.
According to The Telegraph’s Sam Wallace, Tottenham have had a bid rejected for the Dutch centre-back, with Brighton valuing the 25-year-old at £70m. Liverpool and Chelsea are also among the clubs monitoring the situation.
For Liverpool, this is far from a new name on the radar. Dutch outlet Voetbal International reported back in May that the Reds had already made contact with both Brighton and the player directly.
The report noted that Van Hecke had been identified as a “key candidate” to bolster Liverpool’s defensive options.
Van Hecke, who joined Brighton from NAC Breda for just €2m in 2020, has since established himself as one of the division’s most consistent centre-backs across 126 appearances.
With his contract expiring in 2027, Brighton know this summer may be their last chance to command a significant fee. At £70m, it will take a serious offer.
Meanwhile, Andoni Iraola is expected to be formally announced as the new Liverpool manager as soon as this week.