Tottenham have messed up by letting go two rising stars who will achieve big things - transfer expert

Jan Paul van Hecke has struggled to adapt at Tottenham Hotspur since completing his £52million move following two shock sales at the club.

That is according to former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, about a transfer window in which his old club let go three stellar defensive talents, with only one not a surprise.

The 26-year-old has started each of the Lilywhites' games across all competitions this season so far, and would have been glad to have finally kept a clean sheet against Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Van Hecke was among the first arrivals of a £400m summer spending spree, joining alongside Marcos Senesi in deals that likely resulted in Luka Vuskovic's Tottenham exit.

The 19-year-old later joined Brighton to replace the Dutchman, signing a long-term deal after a fee of around £50m was agreed.

The defender has enjoyed a great start to life at the American Express Stadium, and could well be a departure that Tottenham live to regret.

Jan Paul van Hecke move 'seemed a strange bit of business'

Tottenham moved quickly for Van Hecke this summer, eyeing an opportunity with his Brighton contract having had just a year remaining.

The Netherlands international had enjoyed a strong season for the Seagulls and knew Roberto De Zerbi well from their time on the South Coast together.

But Tottenham have felt the consequences of making that signing, with the loss of a potential superstar in Vuskovic.

"The kid settled in very quickly at Brighton, and Van Hecke's having problems, which is again due to the chopping and changing of teams, and playing in a side which haven't exactly started well again - they haven't scored a goal yet." King told Football Insider.

"So, too early to say, but I'm glad to see the boy Vuskovic. I thought he was a good player when he was at Hajduk Split, and there's certainly a few others that thought he was a good player when he was there.

"He was certainly a good prospect, and has proved that by making quite a bit of money for Tottenham. You know, he [De Zerbi] could have played him in some friendlies and had a look at him without paying out £52m.

"I mean, OK, he got rid of [Cristian] Romero, but you know, you've got the other boy [Micky van de Ven] there who's a good player. You've got [Destiny] Udogie, you've got [Djed] Spence. You know, it seems a strange bit of business to me."

Signs of improvement for Van Hecke

Despite the concerns, Van Hecke was able to deliver a strong performance against Nottingham Forest.

The 26-year-old completed 69 passes and even created a chance, with 23 of his passes breaking lines.

The Dutchman was also fouled three times, and won six of his 10 contested duels, while making a tackle, a block, two clearances and four recoveries.

Tottenham fans will take longer to be convinced of Van Hecke, but Saturday's display was certainly a step in the right direction.