Chelsea handed official transfer message from €81m defender wanting ‘clarity'

Updated: 15 Jun 2026 09:49 BST | 5 min read

Matthew Judge | Editor

Brighton and Hove Albion star Jan Paul van Hecke says he wants “clarity” over his future amid speculation linking him with Chelsea.

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Van Hecke has become one of the Premier League’s best ball-playing centre-backs at Brighton, with whom he has made 131 appearances and scored four goals.

However, with just 12 months left on his contract, there is plenty of talk surrounding the 26-year-old’s future, with The Telegraph claiming the €81million-rated (£70m) defender is admired by Chelsea and Liverpool.

STATS

Jan Paul van Hecke

D (C)

Brighton

Jan Paul van Hecke

D (C)

Brighton

40

Games
3

Goals
3

Assists

Another team who are keen to sign Van Hecke are Tottenham Hotspur, with Roberto De Zerbi's side having had two undisclosed bids rejected by Brighton, who conversely have had an offer turned down by Spurs for fellow defender Luka Vuskovic.

As speculation continues to swirl in regards to where he will play his football next season, Van Hecke admits he would like his future to be sorted out as soon as possible.

Van Hecke - who started in the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw with Japan in their opening World Cup fixture on Sunday - said in quotes carried by Sky Sports: “Of course, things are also happening and I know that myself too, but that’s not for now, that’s more after the World Cup.

© IMAGO - Jan Paul van Hecke and Luka Vuskovic

“I will then see where I play. I have also said very clearly that I would like to have clarity for myself before the World Cup.

“And I have that too, but then for now, for myself, it’s just clear, I just want to play the World Cup as well as possible. That clarity will probably come after the World Cup when I make that step, then it’s clear to everyone.”

Brighton insist Van Hecke will only be allowed to leave if suitable offer arrives

Van Hecke’s stance comes after Brighton CEO Paul Barber insisted the club are in no rush to sell the defender, despite his contract situation.
In an interview with talkSPORT, Barber said: “Yes, we have rejected a bid from Tottenham over the last week or so, in fact, two bids. From that point of view, it has to be right for us as well as the player.
“We have to be in a position to make the best trades to suit our model and also to make sure that we're supporting Fabian [Hurzeler], because he's got another big season ahead of him.”

Cucurella set to leave Chelsea for Real Madrid after €60m move agreed

Meanwhile, Chelsea are set to receive €60m (£51.8m) from Real Madrid for Marc Cucurella, according to The Athletic, with the left-back poised to follow Ibrahima Konate and Denzel Dumfries by becoming Jose Mourinho’s third signing of the summer.

Before Xabi Alonso's appointment in May, Spain international Cucurella had previously expressed his concern over the direction Chelsea were heading in following the sacking of Enzo Maresca in January.

In an interview with The Athletic in March, he said: “The moment Maresca left, it had a big impact on us. These are decisions taken by the club. If you asked me, I would not have made this decision. To make a change like that, the best thing is to wait until the end of the season. You would give everyone, the players and the new manager, time to get ready, have a full pre-season…”

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