Jan Paul van Hecke issues transfer statement after Liverpool and Tottenham links

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Liverpool is also believed to have made checks on the defender before Arne Slot's departure.Negotiations between the clubs are ongoing, but regardless, Van Hecke appears set to line up alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of Holland's defence in their Group F opener against Japan in Dallas.When pressed on his circumstances, he said: "First of all, I just want to focus on the Dutch national team on Sunday."That is a very important match for us, for me. 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. 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 uh when I make that step, then it's clear to everyone."Jan Paul van Hecke has been a key player for Brighton(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Should Van Hecke take to the pitch, he will also be fulfilling a lifelong childhood ambition. His uncle Jan Poortvliet represented Holland at the 1978 tournament and even featured in the final where Oranje came up short against hosts Argentina in Buenos Aires.It's partly why he never forgets his roots and modest beginnings, and former club NAC Breda stand to benefit from his prospective transfer to Spurs, should that come to fruition.Van Hecke added, referring to Breda's 7.5 per cent sell-on clause: "My story is special anyway, because I was still playing as a main class amateur at 17."We were promoted then and that is of course special now that you take such a step and very nice amounts will eventually go back to where you started.