Brighton have turned down Tottenham Hotspur’s opening transfer bid for highly rated central defender Jan Paul van Hecke, according to reports.

The south coast club have placed a £70 million valuation on the Dutch defender, a figure Tottenham’s initial offer fell well short of meeting.

Brighton have built a strong reputation for holding firm on their valuations, having successfully commanded top fees for several players in recent seasons.

Van Hecke has emerged as one of the most impressive centre-backs in the Premier League, drawing admiring glances from several top clubs over recent months.

The defender has been a cornerstone of Brighton’s backline, consistently putting in composed and commanding performances throughout his time at the Amex Stadium.

Tottenham are understood to be in the market for defensive reinforcements as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the remainder of the season.

Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou has identified strengthening the defensive unit as a key priority, with Van Hecke viewed as an ideal fit for the club’s system.

Brighton will be determined not to lose one of their standout performers cheaply, particularly given the player’s importance to their overall structure and defensive stability.

The rejection of Tottenham’s opening offer signals that any deal for Van Hecke will be a protracted and expensive negotiation for the north London club.

Tottenham are expected to return with an improved bid, though Brighton’s firm stance makes it clear that anything significantly below £70 million will not be entertained.

Whether Spurs are willing to meet that asking price remains to be seen, but Brighton’s resolve suggests a lengthy transfer battle could be on the horizon.

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