Newcastle United transfer target Jan Paul van Hecke looks increasingly likely to depart the Amex Stadium in the coming months.
The Dutch international will shortly enter the final 12 months of his deal, with every indication of a growing reluctance from the player to sign a contract renewal.
Despite Brighton’s reputation for securing long-term commitments from their stars, Van Hecke appears ready for a new challenge, leaving the Seagulls with a difficult decision: sell this summer or risk losing him for free in a year's time.
Jan Paul van Hecke to leave Brighton this summer
Newcastle are high on the list of suitors, having registered significant interest in the 25-year-old during the previous two windows.
According to Dutch outlet VI, Brighton have tried 'several times to entice Van Hecke to sign a new, significantly improved contract'.
The 25-year-old has reportedly pinned his hopes on the next step in his career, though, and is understood to be aware of the Premier League interest in his signature.
Van Hecke could modernise Newcastle's defensive unit that has faced scrutiny this season.
With Fabian Schär entering the twilight of his career and ongoing fitness concerns surrounding Sven Botman, a new central defender is needed on Tyneside this summer.
Van Hecke's ball-playing ability and vast Premier League experience would allow him to compete for the right-sided centre-back role at St. James' Park.
The financial dynamics of any deal will be heavily influenced by the contract stand-off. While a player of Van Hecke's statistical profile would typically command upwards of £50 million, his expiring contract and apparent reluctance to extend mean a reduced fee, perhaps in the region of £25m to £30m, is more realistic.
Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler has been vocal in his admiration for the defender, previously describing him as the 'heartbeat' of the team’s build-up play.
However, with Hürzeler also emphasising the need for players fully committed to the Seagulls' project, the stage is set for a summer exit that could see Van Hecke follow in the footsteps of current Newcastle defender Dan Burn, who swapped the south coast for a return to the north east shortly after the Magpies' 2021 takeover.
Van Hecke is currently valued at €35m by Transfermarkt.
