Sources: Newcastle plotting move to sign Brighton star labelled ‘one of the best in the league’
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Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Sat 13 September 2025 7:30, UK
Jan Paul van Hecke could be tempted to leave Brighton if Newcastle United formalise their interest in the defender, sources have told Football Insider.
Van Hecke is one of several centre-backs on Newcastle’s shortlist after they ended their pursuit of Marc Guehi, with the 25-year-old one of the Premier League’s best as his stock continues to rise at Brighton.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Newcastle’s trump card in their pursuit of Van Hecke could be the offer of Champions League football in the coming seasons.
Mick Brown told Football Insider in August that Newcastle did hold internal talks to sign Van Hecke, with Dan Burn lined up to convince the Dutchman to join the Magpies after their time together at Brighton.
My sources have said that Van Hecke may be interested in a move to a Champions League club such as Newcastle as his Brighton deal enters its last two years, with Eddie Howe keen to strengthen in defence.
Dan Burn could urge Jan Paul van Hecke to sign for Newcastle after playing with him at Brighton
Van Hecke is under contract at the Amex Stadium until 2027, and with the defender unlikely to extend his stay with Brighton, Newcastle have been given encouragement over a deal for the Dutch international.
“He’s a top player, Jan Paul van Hecke”, I said on the new Inside Track podcast.
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“For me, he’s one of the best centre-backs in the league – Brighton will be very keen to keep hold of him.
“Maybe, the player himself – if a Champions League club came calling for him – maybe he might be interested in that move away, just to progress his career and play at the highest level possible.
“He’s only got two years on his contract left until 2027, so Brighton won’t want to see him run that down and potentially leave on a free transfer.”
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Should Newcastle deploy Burn in a bid to coax Van Hecke to St.
James’ Park in upcoming transfer windows, the recent England debutant could find himself displaced in Howe’s side by their new signing.
Adding Van Hecke to Newcastle’s backline would provide further competition for Burn, Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and Malick Thiaw, who is yet to start a match after his £34million move from AC Milan.
A new-look centre-back partnership of Thiaw and Van Hecke is still far from guaranteed despite the latter’s unwillingness to extend his contract at Brighton, but it’s clear that Howe is keen to strengthen at the back.