All the latest transfer and contract news from Brighton and Hove Albion
Brighton and Hove Albion will brace themselves for bids this summer for star defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
The 26-year-old Dutch international has been key for Fabian Hurzeler’s men this term and, among others, has attracted interest from Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea.
Van Hecke is set to be action for Brighton this Saturday at Tottenham as the Seagulls continue their late charge for Europe.
The Albion centre back is also expected to feature for his country this summer at the World Cup - which will further place him in the shop window.
Van Hecke joined Brighton for around £2m from NAC Breda in 2020 and is contracted with the Seagulls until June 2027.
Talks on a fresh contract have reportedly stalled and any summer offers over and above £50m could now be taken very seriously at Brighton.
Lewis Dunk uncertainty
The centre back situation currently looks strong but it could quickly turn into a problem area for Brighton.
Van Hecke’s future is clearly up in the air, while his defensive partner and skipper Lewis Dunk was wanted by Nottingham Forest in the previous window.
Albion reportedly accepted a January offer from Forest but Dunk, 34, decided to stay with Brighton. Dunk has a further year on his contract and even if he stays his appearances may be managed a little more next term.
It could mean a bigger role for French defender Olivier Boscagli, who has had to be patient this season after his free transfer arrival from PSV.
Boscagli, 28, has impressed in his limited outings and he will get another chance to shine this Saturday at Tottenham as he once again steps in for Dunk, who serves the second of his two match ban.
The Frenchman perhaps does not have the physicality of a Van Hecke or Dunk but he’s a classy operator and looks ready for greater game time in the Premier League. Perhaps Van Hecke’s potential exit could pave the way.
Diego Coppola
Elsewhere Brighton have Italian defender Diego Coppola on loan at Paris FC. The Seagulls signed the Italian for around £10m last summer and the 22-year-old spent the pre-season and the first half of the season with Brighton before moving to the French capital to increase his minutes.
He has made eight starts from eight appearances in the Ligue1 and is expected to return to Brighton this summer for pre-season. In terms of physicality, Coppola is probably the defender most capable of replacing Van Hecke.
The Italian international is though largely unproven in the Premier League and did look a little raw at times in his early season outings for Brighton.
He is though a defender with huge potential. His experience with Paris will have helped and a little time and patience could see him thrive in the top flight with Brighton next term.
The Seagulls also have Igor Julio, who returned from his loan at West Ham, but the Brazilian is likely to leave this summer.
Erian Cashin is currently on loan in the Championship at Blackburn and at this stage it looks unlikely that the former Derby man will be a regular in the Premier League next term.
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