Tottenham Hotspur have reportedly agreed a deal worth £52 million for Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke.
The deal represents another significant profit for the Seagulls, who signed Van Hecke from NAC Breda for just £1.8m in 2020.
Following loan spells at Heerenveen and Blackburn Rovers, Van Hecke established himself as a first-team regular at the Amex Stadium under current Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi and has since evolved into one of the Premier League's most consistent defenders.
Van Hecke's departure will leave a glaring void in Fabian Hurzeler's backline, but Brighton’s recruitment policy means there is little concern about their ability to identify an adequate replacement.
We take a look at the options Brighton could consider.
Luka Vuskovic
Brighton have made their admiration of Luka Vuskovic abundantly clear with several bids for the Tottenham defender.
It was suggested Brighton could negotiate Vuskovic's inclusion in a swap deal plus cash for Van Hecke, but Spurs have so far rebuffed any interest in the prodigious Croatian.
Brighton are believed to have seen a £35m bid for Vuskovic turned down and the Seagulls will need to enter record fee territory if they are to prise their primary target away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Vuskovic excelled in the Bundesliga last term with Hamburger SV and Spurs value the 19-year-old very highly.
Charlie Cresswell
A reported alternative to Vuskovic if Brighton's pursuit fails is Toulouse central defender Charlie Cresswell, who's attracted a number of suitors following two strong seasons in Ligue 1.
The 23-year-old made the bold decision to leave his boyhood club Leeds United and relocate abroad in search of regular first-team football, a move that's been vindicated after helping Toulouse to successive mid-table finishes.
Cresswell was an influential member of Lee Carlsey's Young Lions squad that won the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Aged 23, there's still immense growth in the Yorkshireman, who ranked prominently in France's top-flight for aerial duels and defensive actions.
Joel Ordonez
Liverpool had reportedly wrapped up a deal for Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez in January, but no transfer came to fruition.
Commanding a fee of €43m, Ordonez is currently representing Ecuador at the 2026 World Cup, which could see his stock rise as he features in an impressive backline alongside Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapie.
Ordonez merges old school physicality and immense pace with excellent technical control and ball-playing ability, making him a standout defender on the continent.
Whilst it would be an expensive outlay - and there is strong competition for Ordonez - a player of his calibre could reach a value far exceeding what Brighton or any other club could pay Club Brugge for his services.
Diego Coppola
Brighton may just have a ready-made replacement for Van Hecke already on their books.
The Seagulls signed the towering Diego Coppola for £9.4m in 2025 after the prodigious Italian centre-back enjoyed a stellar breakthrough at Hellas Verona.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at Paris FC in Ligue 1, and the French outfit reportedly wish to sign Coppola on a permanent basis as he become a mainstay in Antoine Kombouaré's side.
Brighton are understood to have lofty expectations for Coppola and the 22-year-old has all the attributes to succeed in the Premier League.
