Adam MacDonald from Seagulls Central reacts to the news that Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke is refusing to sign a new contract with the club.

In a major development for Brighton & Hove Albion, centre‑back Jan Paul van Hecke, aged 25, has refused to extend his contract, opting instead to pursue a top‑tier Premier League move that involves Champions League football. The Dutch international, under contract until 2027, has turned down the club’s offer - reportedly to make him the highest‑paid player in Brighton history - as he feels the Seagulls cannot fulfil his ambition of playing at Europe’s elite level.

According to reports from Voetbal International, Van Hecke received multiple offers from the Albion, but has made clear he will not renew. Clubs such as Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have already registered interest, with Newcastle said to have made an approach this week.

According to the Voetbal International report, Brighton value Van Hecke at around €50 million (£43‑44 million), with NAC Breda, his former club, set to receive 7.5% of any future transfer fee through a sell‑on clause negotiated in 2020.

Since joining Brighton in September 2020 from NAC Breda for around £2.5 million, Van Hecke has cemented his role as a first‑choice defender through loan spells at SC Heerenveen (2020‑21) and Blackburn Rovers (2021‑22), before becoming a fixture in both Roberto De Zerbi and Fabian Hürzeler's defence across the last two seasons. His breakthrough in the Premier League and emergence as a Netherlands international have certainly elevated his transfer appeal.

Brighton’s strategy has consistently featured buying young talent and selling at peak value, and Van Hecke fits that blueprint perfectly. With under two years left on his contract, Albion may risk depreciating his value unless they sell now. Although he’s not forcing a move, his refusal to extend means Brighton could be forced act quickly to maximise return.

Van Hecke joined Brighton & Hove Albion at age 20 in the summer of 2020 from NAC Breda, and was immediately loaned out to gain experience. He spent 2020–21 at Heerenveen and 2021–22 at Blackburn Rovers in the Championship, before becoming a first‑choice centre‑back under Roberto De Zerbi from the 2022–23 season. Over three seasons he has made over 70 Premier League appearances and earned his debut for the Netherlands national team.

During that time, Van Hecke has been integral to Brighton’s defensive stability and ball‑playing style - comfortable with both aerial duels and playing from the back, aligned with Albion’s tactical philosophy. His growth underlines Brighton’s recruitment and development model, turning a £2.5m signing into a transfer asset valued £50m+. That journey showcases Van Hecke’s evolution into a commanding, Champions League‑level defender, central to Brighton’s success and now a key figure in the Seagulls’ potential summer sales along the south coast.