Jan Paul van Hecke is reportedly edging closer to leaving Brighton this summer, with the defender refusing to budge in contract negotiations over a new deal.
The centre-back arrived at the Amex Stadium in 2020 and has since enjoyed loan stints with Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers, where he won the Rovers’ Player of the Season award, before being slowly integrated into Graham Potter’s and Robert De Zerbi’s respective teams.
This season, the 25-year-old has been a standout for the Seagulls, keeping seven clean sheets in 30 Premier League games, whilst scoring three goals, including a brace against Aston Villa, and providing two assists.
According to Voetbal International, Van Hecke is likely to be playing his final few weeks on the south coast after rejecting multiple ‘greatly improved’ contract offers from Tony Bloom.
The Netherlands international dreams of playing for one of England’s biggest clubs and has therefore refused to extend his stay with the Seagulls.
With the defender’s contract up in just over a year’s time, the Albion may be forced into selling their No. 6 in the upcoming summer window if they want to secure a profit, rather than risk losing him on a free if extension talks continue to fall on deaf ears.
talkSPORT report that Fabian Hurzeler’s side hope to secure at least £50million for Van Hecke’s services, which should not be an issue with the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle, Liverpool, and Tottenham all interested.
If the Dutchman is to depart, it would present last season’s summer signings Olivier Boscagli, who has been waiting patiently for his chance, and Diego Coppola, who was sent on loan to Paris FC, with the opportunity to assert themselves as Lewis Dunk’s defensive partner.
It was also earlier this year that Brighton had a bid rejected for English centre-back Charlie Cresswell, but it remains to be seen if that is a deal that they revisit in the summer.