Brighton reject two Tottenham bids for Van Hecke as Barber sets out £70m stance

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has confirmed the club rejected two bids from Tottenham Hotspur for centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke over the past week, making clear that any deal must work for Brighton before a sale is considered.

Speaking on talkSPORT on Sunday, Barber was unambiguous about the club’s position. “Yes, we have rejected a bid from Tottenham over the last week or so — in fact two bids,” he said. “From that point of view, as I’ve said before, it has to be right for us as well as the player.”

Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi is eager to reunite with Van Hecke, who was a key figure under his management at Brighton. De Zerbi has already strengthened his squad this summer with the free transfer of full-back Andy Robertson, and the Dutch defender is understood to be a priority addition.

Reports indicate Spurs’ first offer fell below Brighton’s £70 million valuation for the 24-year-old, though talks between the clubs are continuing with Tottenham still intent on securing a deal.

Barber framed the situation in the context of Brighton’s broader ambitions, noting that head coach Fabian Hurzeler — who has guided the club to eighth-place Premier League finishes in each of his two seasons — now has European competition to prepare for. “We want to go as deep in that competition as we can while also doing well in the Premier League,” Barber said.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining the squad balance that underpins Brighton’s development model. “We need to make sure that Fabian has got the best possible squad and we’ve got the right balance between the young players that typically we like to bring in and develop and the more experienced players like Pascal Gross and others who can help us to progress in all of the competitions that we’re in.”

Barber acknowledged that interest in Brighton’s top players was inevitable but insisted the club would not be rushed into a decision. “It has to be right for us as well as the player,” he repeated, suggesting Brighton will hold firm unless Tottenham significantly improve their offer.