[Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly plotting an ambitious summer raid on Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion](https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/tottenham-transfers-brighton-baleba-van-hecke-verbruggen-b2983668.html), with a high-profile trio firmly in their sights ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Spurs are looking to back manager Roberto De Zerbi in the market and have Bart Verbruggen, Jan Paul van Hecke, and Carlos Baleba on their shortlist.
Tottenham are actively in the market for a new long-term number one, with Guglielmo Vicario expected to depart. Verbruggen’s composure, shot-stopping, and ability in possession make him an ideal fit for De Zerbi’s system.
Further forward, Jan Paul van Hecke has emerged as one of the most sought-after centre-backs in the Premier League.
The 25-year-old Dutchman has enjoyed a highly consistent campaign under Fabian Hurzeler, combining physical dominance with ball-playing intelligence. After registering six goal involvements in 36 appearances, Van Hecke has attracted strong interest from both Spurs and Liverpool.
With Brighton already looking at Toulouse’s Charlie Cresswell as a potential replacement, Tottenham are eager to lead the race for his signature.
Completing the targeted trio is the [‘absolutely wonderful’](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cwyxr4q7472o) midfield powerhouse Carlos Baleba. The 22-year-old Cameroonian enjoyed a standout 2025–25 season, though his 2025–26 campaign was more subdued.
Still, he remains highly rated, and De Zerbi sees him as the ideal modern engine to revitalise Tottenham’s midfield.
However, prising three key players from the Amex Stadium will be a major financial and diplomatic challenge. Brighton are notoriously tough negotiators and rarely sell multiple stars to direct Premier League rivals, meaning any deal for the trio would require a huge outlay.
Aware of the complications in landing all three primary targets, Tottenham have identified a comprehensive fallback list and are closely monitoring alternatives such as Manchester City’s James Trafford and Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi.