Tottenham transfer target Jan Paul van Hecke has revealed clarity over his future will come after the 2026 World Cup.
Spurs have seen two bids for the Brighton centre-back rejected, though a third offer is thought to be imminent with the Van Hecke said to be keen on a reunion with former manager Roberto De Zerbi.
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Brighton value the 26-year-old at around £70million, despite the defender approaching the final 12 months of his contract at the Amex Stadium.
The Netherlands international is currently preparing to potentially make his World Cup debut on Sunday against Japan, but has spoken out about his future for the first time since links to Tottenham emerged.
"First of all, I just want to focus on the Dutch national team on Sunday,” Van Hecke told reporters.
“That is a very important match for us, for me. So that’s my focus until now. Of course, things are also playing, and I know that myself too. But that’s not for now, that’s more after the World Cup. 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 when I make that step, then it’s clear to everyone."
In a fresh twist to the transfer saga, Brighton have made a £30m offer for Spurs’ highly-rated young central defender Luka Vuskovic, who impressed on loan with Hamburg this season.
The teenager, who is in the Croatia squad for the World Cup, is keen to play regularly next season thus leaving Spurs with a big decision to make.
The arrival of Van Hecke would further block Vuskovic’s pathway at Tottenham, with the club also adding to their central defensive department this week by signing Marcos Senesi on a free transfer from Bournemouth.
