Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke is doing his best to dodge any questions over Tottenham Hotspur during the World Cup.
NOS have an interview with the 26-year-old today. He’s asked directly about transfer speculation but dodges any clear-cut answers on the subject.
Tottenham efforts
The Brighton centre-back appears to be among the priority targets for Tottenham this summer, courtesy of Robert de Zerbi.
The Italian coach worked with the defender at Brighton and appears determined to reunite with him in London as he reshapes the Tottenham squad he inherited.
Tottenham have already begun making moves, offering around €40m to sign the defender this summer.
That, though, is not enough for Brighton, who reports have claimed want as much as €80m for their man. They, in return, are trying to do a deal for Tottenham’s Luka Vuskovic.
Negotiations are likely to continue across the summer, which may be more hindrance than help for Van Hecke as he tries to focus on the World Cup with the Netherlands. And he insists his focus is on that for now.
“Well, first of all, I just want to focus on the Dutch national team on Sunday,” he said.
“That is a very important match for us, for me. So that’s my focus until now. Of course, things are also playing, and I know that myself too. But that’s not for now, that’s more after the World Cup. I will then see where I play.
“I have also said very clearly that I would like to have clarity for myself before the World Cup. And uh I have that too. But then for now for myself it’s just clear. I just want to play the World Cup as well as possible.”
Brighton exit likely
He is not shying away from the fact that he wants to make a move this summer, though. In fact, he expects it to happen once the World Cup is over.
“That clarity will probably come after the World Cup when uh when I make that step, then it’s clear to everyone,” he added.
The questions then turned to the asking price, and specifically the clubs that will benefit. While Brighton are looking for a top fee, that also effects former club NAC Breda.
Sport Witness covered a report last week explaining how they’re set to receive a windfall from any potential deal. And the Brighton man is happy in that regard.
“Of course, my story is special anyway, because I was still playing well at 17 in the main class amateur,” he concluded.
“We were promoted then, but uh yeah, that is of course very special if you can now take such a step and for uh very nice amounts that will eventually go back to where you started. And of course, those people are also watching. They’re also thinking about that amount.”
