Jan Paul van Hecke ‘wants to join Liverpool’ as contract update emerges
Jan Paul van Hecke is unlikely to commit to a new contract at Brighton in the near future as he is aware of interest from both Liverpool and Tottenham.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 25-year-old wants to play Champions League football.
Brown told Football Insider on 30 December that Liverpool and Tottenham have been tracking Van Hecke and have been impressed by his displays for Brighton.
Fabian Hurzeler is keen to keep his best players at the club long-term, but with the Seagulls dropping to 14th in the league, the centre-back wants to play at a higher level.
While it is highly unlikely that a move will take place in January, it has been labelled one to watch in 2026, with his future at the Amex now uncertain.
Jan Paul van Hecke could leave Brighton after contract news
Brown told Football Insider last month that Tottenham could accelerate their move to sign Van Hecke in 2026, having held long-standing interest.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Brighton may soon be forced to cash in on the centre-back.
“I’m not convinced he will want to stay at Brighton,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s got the bright lights of the Champions League in his mind now, and it’s hard to turn that down especially when Brighton are struggling a bit.
“They’ve lost some key players and dropped of a bit from where they were when he signed.
“Liverpool have been keeping an eye on him because of their situation, and if he becomes available for whatever reason, they may well make a move.
“Tottenham also want reinforcements and he’s somebody who’s been on their radar for a while.
“If Brighton keep struggling like they have been recently, then that opportunity might come up, and it’s certainly one I think will appeal to him.
“Say Liverpool come in for him, I think he’d want to join them rather than staying at Brighton.
“Whether it happens in January, I’m not sure, because Brighton don’t want to lose him and especially not mid-way through the season, but he’ll be one to watch.”
Van Hecke is among Liverpool’s defensive targets
Football Insider revealed Liverpool want to sign a new centre-back in January and are assessing a number of options for the role.
Liverpool are targeting a number of left-sided defenders, notably including Marc Guehi and Alessandro Bastoni, while they have also been linked to Nico Schlotterbeck.
However, Van Hecke has emerged as a right-sided option, which would allow the Reds to leave Virgil van Dijk in his usual position in the back line.
Brown told Football Insider that Van Dijk could play a new role under Arne Slot and move to the right if a left-sided option arrives at Anfield this month.
However, targets in both positions are being targeted, with the Reds doing their due diligence ahead of what is likely to be a big-money move.
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