(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Tue 5 August 2025 11:02, UK

Newcastle United have set their sights on Brighton star Jan Paul van Hecke after failing in attempts to sign Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi.

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That is according to former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the Magpies have been keeping a close eye on the 25-year-old.

Eddie Howe is determined to strengthen his defensive unit this summer and views Van Hecke as one of his top targets due to his performances in the Premier League.

This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Guehi has his heart set on joining Liverpool and will snub the Magpies’ offer should they return with a fresh move.

Palace turned down a £70million bid for the England international last summer, leaving Howe without his much-desired reinforcements at the back.

Brighton, meanwhile, are extremely reluctant to lose Van Hecke given his importance to the side after Adam Webster suffered a cruciate ligament injury in pre-season.

Newcastle are plotting a move to sign Jan Paul van Hecke.

(Credit: Imago)

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This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.

Brown told Football Insider in June that Fabian Hurzeler wants to keep his best players at Brighton amid concerns about the number of stars leaving the club.

The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has now warned that the boss could yet lose more key players before the window closes.

“Newcastle are looking to bring in a new defender,” he told Football Insider.

“I know most of their focus is on a striker with the Isak situation at the moment, but they’ve been after a centre-back since last summer when they missed out on Guehi.

“They messed about with his valuation last year and that deal fell through.

“From what I hear, that interest in Guehi is still there, but he wants the Liverpool move.

“So Newcastle have been looking at other options including Van Hecke from Brighton.

“I like him, I think he’s a good solid centre-back if not a world-beater, but he’s got a lot of Premier League experience now which Eddie Howe likes.

“He would be an improvement on what they’ve got at the moment and he’s a younger option too.

“They’ve been watching his performances for Brighton and feel he would improve their squad, so perhaps they’ll make a move before the window closes.

“Whether Brighton will be willing to let him go, though, I’m not sure because he is an important player for them.”

Eddie Howe is determined to strengthen his squad.

(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)

Alongside their ambitions of signing a new centre-back, Newcastle remain determined to sign a new striker with Benjamin Sesko their top target.

Football Insider exclusively revealed on 4 August that Newcastle had a three-hour call with Sesko as they plan to accelerate their efforts to sign him.

This comes amid doubts surrounding the future of Alexander Isak after he made clear his desire to leave, and a £110million offer from Liverpool was turned down.

However, Football Insider revealed on 3 August that Sesko wants to join Man United who have joined the Magpies in the race for his signature.

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