Tottenham transfer news: Spurs' Luka Vuskovic dilemma as two Brighton bids rejected after Jan Paul van Hecke deal agreed

Tottenham have agreed a deal to sign Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton worth £52m; The defender worked with Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton, playing 50 games under the Italian;

Van Hecke is set to join Marcos Senesi as Spurs look to revamp their defence.

Tottenham have a dilemma on their hands with Luka Vuskovic after rejecting two offers from Brighton for the teenage centre-back.

The 19-year-old, who established himself as one of Europe's best young defenders on loan at Hamburg, wants to be a regular starter now but is not interested in another temporary move.

Brighton's latest offer was for £35m and Sky Sports News understands that they will not go back in with a fresh proposal immediately despite agreeing a deal to sell central defender Jan Paul van Hecke to Spurs for £52m on Tuesday.

Vuskovic's prospects of being a first-team regular at Spurs next season appear slim now, with Van Hecke set to join and Marcos Senesi already signed this summer. If Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero stay, Vuskovic will realistically be Spurs' fifth choice.

Romero's future is uncertain, just as it was last summer before he signed a new deal, but it remains to be seen if there are any clubs that would pay enough to convince Spurs to sell.

There is a real feeling at Spurs that Vuskovic could become one of the best defenders in the world but that he is not quite ready to make that step to being a regular starter in the Premier League.

There are parallels to the situation Arsenal had with William Saliba. The France international had three loans in Ligue 1 before being fully integrated into the first-team picture and becoming one of the Premier League's best defenders.

Spurs have plans to spend big this summer and, naturally, that will lead to player sales. However, in an ideal world, they will raise funds elsewhere on players who are not part of De Zerbi's future plans.

Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic says it is important that Vuskovic finds a club where he will play regularly. Spurs agree but can only offer a loan. Brighton can give the teenager what he wants but are unwilling to overpay. This situation could rumble on.

Spurs agree Van Hecke deal

The deal for Van Hecke is believed to be around £52m and the player has expressed his desire to play under 'father figure' Roberto De Zerbi.

The centre-back only wanted to join Tottenham.

De Zerbi and Van Hecke worked together at Brighton

The Netherlands international defender has one year left on his contract at Brighton and played under De Zerbi between 2023 and 2024.

The Seagulls would be making considerable profit on the 26-year-old, having signed him for £1.8m from NAC Breda in 2020. It is understood Brighton have negotiated a 20 per cent sell on clause in the move.

The signing is part of a huge few weeks planned at Tottenham, with the club determined to back De Zerbi in the market and major changes planned.