Van Hecke's position within the transfer market is straightforward: he has declined Brighton's offers of a contract extension, meaning his existing deal runs only until 2027 and the club face the prospect of losing him for a reduced fee this summer or nothing at all in 12 months.
That dynamic gives Tottenham genuine leverage — though Brighton are holding close to their £70m valuation.
The personal dimension of the pursuit is also notable. Van Hecke played under Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton between 2022 and 2024, giving the new Tottenham manager an established knowledge of and belief in the 25-year-old Dutchman's qualities.
Van Hecke's performances under De Zerbi were among the most consistent of his career, and the prospect of a reunion at a club with Champions League ambitions is understood to appeal to the player.
Van Hecke is currently representing the Netherlands at the World Cup, where any strong performances would only increase his profile and — from Brighton's perspective — justify their valuation. The window for completing a deal before the tournament ends is tight, though club-to-club negotiations can continue in parallel.