De Zerbi told Van Hecke is 'most likely' of three Brighton stars to join Tottenham

After reports that Roberto De Zerbi wants to raid former club Brighton for three men, he's been told Jan Paul van Hecke is the "most likely."

De Zerbi engineered Premier League survival for Spurs from the final seven games of the season, and now has a chance to push them far away from danger. Indeed, he'll be backed to shape the Tottenham squad how he wants it in his first transfer window in charge.

Reports have suggested he wants players to immediately take to his system, and that's where a triple raid on Brighton comes in, with it said he wants Van Hecke, Carlos Baleba and Bart Verbruggen.

De Zerbi signed the latter pair for the Seagulls, while Van Hecke played 50 times under him.

It's the defender who is deemed the most likely of the trio to be signed, as John Wenham has discussed the interest.

He told Tottenham News: “There were reports that De Zerbi would like to raid Brighton in a triple transfer for Verbruggen, Van Hecke and Baleba.

“Getting anybody out of Brighton is not easy, as we’ve seen with Chelsea repeatedly going there over the years and then huge sums of money being exchanged. To try and get three of their starting players out of their team, I just see it as incredibly unlikely.

“All three are in positions where we do need strengthening, make no mistake about that, but Van Hecke, when I saw him play at the Tottenham Stadium this year, I was very, very impressed with him, very commanding centre-back.

“He would be an excellent addition and seems the most likely of those three.”

Van Hecke v Tottenham

The game Wenham refers to was a 2-2 draw between Spurs and Brighton, in which Van Hecke earned a 7.1 Fotmob rating - with only three of his team-mates performing better.

Van Hecke assisted the crucial 95th-minute equaliser for the Seagulls, while he also made 16 defensive contributions - impacting the game at both ends.

Van Hecke scored three goals and assisted three more in the Premier League this term, and his defensive qualities are evident beyond his attacking ones.

Whle Spurs are nearing the snare of Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth, having three quality centre-backs, with him, Van Hecke and Micky van de Ven, in the squad would ensure defensive stability no matter who played.

Cristian Romero is heavily tipped to be leaving north London, so adding another quality option seems important for De Zerbi's side.