After almost succumbing to a stunning relegation, the Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy aren't messing around this summer.
There have been transfer links aplenty in the wake of our final day catharsis, with two free agents, Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, expected to be the first new signings through the door. There have also been strong links to Manchester City's Savinho, and the man we're targeting to likely replace Cristian Romero.
While our club captain currently doesn't have the most bullish of markets, certainly not compared to a year ago anyway, the World Cup could do plenty to help his stock. The Argentine is waiting for one of La Liga's big three to step forward.
Admirably, Spurs aren't waiting for clarity on Romero's future. We're assuming he's heading off, and have identified Brighton & Hove Albion's Jan Paul van Hecke as his replacement.
Roberto De Zerbi is a huge fan of Spurs target Van Hecke
Spurs have already had an offer rebuffed for the Dutchman, who has just a year left on his contract with the Seagulls. Tony Bloom thus doesn't have too much leverage in negotiations this time around, and the club are continuing to negotiate.
It's a deal that makes plenty of sense, even if Van Hecke is a far from supreme athlete who isn't particularly strong in the air. Otherwise, he's incredibly well-rounded. The tough-tackling Dutchman is a superb passer who caught De Zerbi's eye when the pair worked together on the south coast.
De Zerbi helped a younger Van Hecke emerge out of nowhere and establish himself as one of the Premier League's most Spurs are making plenty of moves at the start of the summer transfer window. centre-backs. Back in December 2023, the Italian explained why he's such a fan of Van Hecke: “I think the most important quality of JP [Van Hecke] is the balance between the arrogance and the confidence in himself. He is not arrogant but his confidence in himself is high, high, high."
Don't get me wrong, we've seen this impressive self-assurance catch the Dutchman out, with Van Hecke committing a pair of notable errors in possession against Spurs and Leeds United towards the end of last season. Still, the swagger with which he performs is justified. Only Senesi (9.3) and Kieran Trippier (9.2) averaged more progressive passes in the top-flight than Van Hecke (8.5), who's an adept carrier, too.
“It is his secret to keep this level because he has an incredible personality, shows incredible leadership, and he is so young. It's not common to see one young player with that level of personality," De Zerbi added.
This is certainly a move championed by the manager, but one that also appeases the number-crunchers. Van Hecke can certainly fill the void left by Romero in possession, and his attributed balance nicely with his road-runner of a compatriot, Micky van de Ven.
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