Connect with us

Sports

Brighton CEO Confirms Tottenham’s Second Bid for Jan Paul Van Hecke

Published

on


Brighton CEO Paul Barber has confirmed that Tottenham have made a second bid to sign Jan Paul van Hecke ahead of the summer transfer window.

Tottenham have been showing an interest in signing Van Hecke ahead of the summer transfer window, with manager Roberto De Zerbi clearly keen to work with one of his former players.

Spurs may need defensive reinforcements in the summer transfer window, with Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero both linked with departures.

De Zerbi could be looking to bring in players that he knows he can trust as he aims to guide Spurs into the top half of the Premier League table.

Reports emerged this week that Tottenham had made a bid to sign Van Hecke, but it appears they’ve made another one as the Brighton CEO speaks out.


Roebrto De Zerbi celebrates Spurs' win over Everton


Tottenham Table Bid to Sign ‘Incredible’ £70m Star for De Zerbi

Tottenham have made their move.

Brighton CEO Speaks on Tottenham Interest

Jan Paul van Hecke in action for the Netherlands

Speaking live on Talk Sport, Brighton CEO Barber has confirmed that Tottenham have made a second bid to sign Brighton defender Van Hecke.

“There’s always going to be a lot of interest in our best players, and certainly in the case of Jan Paul. We’ve been very clear that that interest has been ongoing for a while, it’s coming from multiple sources. Yes, we have rejected a bid from Tottenham over the last week or so, in fact, two bids. “So from that point of view, it has to be right for us as well as the player, we have to be in a position to make the best trades to suit our model. And also to make sure that we’re supporting Fabian (Hurzeler, head coach) because he’s got another big season ahead of him. “He’s had two seasons in the Premier League, he’s finished eighth on both occasions, this time we’ve been fortunate enough to qualify for a European competition. “We want to go as deep in that competition as we can, while also doing well in the Premier League. “To do that, we need to make sure Fabian’s got the best possible squad and we’ve got the right balance between the young players that typically we like to bring in and develop, “And the more experienced players like Pascal Gross and others, who can actually help us progress in all of the competitions that we’re in. “As always, it’s a balancing act, and hopefully this summer we can work hard to pull it off again.”

Brighton appear to be standing firm with the Dutch defender as they understandably don’t want to lose him this summer.

Tottenham’s second bid was rejected by the Seagulls. It will be interesting to see whether Spurs return to the negotiating table once again.

England World Cup Quiz

You scored

out of 20

Tottenham Should Walk Away

Jan Paul van Hecke in action for Brighton & Hove Albion

With reports suggesting that Tottenham’s initial offer was in the region of £70 million, it could be time for the North London club to walk away from a deal.

That would suggest that Spurs’ second offer was even more, which clearly shows that Brighton aren’t going to let him go on the cheap.

Van Hecke would undoubtedly improve Tottenham, especially if they lose van de Ven and Romero, but there are certainly question marks as to whether he’s worth over £70 million.

At this stage, Tottenham should be walking away rather than continuing to negotiate, as there is undoubtedly better value elsewhere in the centre-back market.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

F1 Rules Kim Kardashian Must Follow While Supporting Lewis Hamilton

Published

on

By


Famous social media personality and model Kim Kardashian has been spotted at the Monaco Grand Prix as Lewis Hamilton finished third behind Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen on Saturday.

The pair are believed to have been in a relationship since early 2026, although the British Formula 1 legend hasn’t publicly commented on it. However, his old teammate George Russell did refer to Kim K as ‘Hamilton’s girlfriend’ upon her arrival at the circuit.


Max Verstappen Out of Monaco GP


Max Verstappen’s Furious Radio Rant After Being Forced to Retire From Monaco GP

Max’s race was over before it got started…

Hamilton is looking to add to his record-breaking 105 Grand Prix wins in Monaco, and will be supported from the stands by his partner. But the American TV star will need to be on her best behaviour, just like anyone else.

Kim Kardashian Already Breaks Formula 1 Rule at Monaco GP

Kim Kardashian at Formula 1

Kardashian, a social media influencer with over 300 million Instagram followers, took her place on the balcony above the Ferrari garage to watch Hamilton claim third place in qualifying.

One of the rules everyone must follow at F1 events is that a pass must be worn at all times in the paddock. Rule 3.4 of FIA’s Sporting Regulations states:

“All persons concerned in any way with an entered car or present in any other capacity whatsoever in the paddock, pit lane, or track must always wear an appropriate pass.”

Meanwhile, Rule 3.5 says: “No pass may be issued or used other than with the agreement of the FIA. A pass may be used only by the person and for the purpose for which it was issued.”


Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton during pre season testing


Why Lewis Hamilton is Refusing to Fully Support England at 2026 World Cup

The seven-time F1 World Champion has made his feelings clear…

However, the 45-year-old has already been spotted in the paddock without a pass of any sort. It’s likely that her security will have sorted that upon her entry to the circuit and it’s hard to imagine any punishment being handed out.

She has stuck to the second rule she needs to follow. The FIA also have a rule that doesn’t permit pets of any sort in the paddock unless permission was granted beforehand.

Lewis Hamilton on Chances of Monaco Win

Lewis Hamilton

After a below-par performance in his first year as a Ferrari driver, the 41-year-old wasn’t overly confident about overtaking Antonelli and Verstappen, but claimed ‘nothing’s impossible’.

He said: “You know how these races go. It’s very, very difficult. I hope we can get a really good start and maybe apply some pressure. I probably need rain. But nothing’s impossible.

“It is a shame that this race is normally a procession, in the sense of following one another. The car is overheating; the brakes are overheating with the way the track is.

“But I’ll try to get in there and hassle these two [Antonelli and Verstappen] as much as I can and force them into not making certain corners.”

Continue Reading

Sports

Iran May Be Forced to Break Strict FIFA Rule at 2026 World Cup

Published

on

By


Iran may be forced to break a strict FIFA rule at the 2026 World Cup due to a controversial new demand imposed by the United States.

The Iranian national team, who were previously warned by US President Donald Trump to stay away from this summer’s showpiece international tournament due to political hostilities between the two countries, have been impacted by reported visas refusals to “key managerial and administrative” members of its World Cup team this week.

Hedayat Mombeini, the Iran Football Federation’s secretary-general, along with vice president Mehdi Mohammad Nabi, are among 14 backroom staff and officials without U.S. visas, Iranian state television have claimed, per ESPN.

Iran’s 2026 World Cup training base is situated in Mexico, despite the fact the team’s three Group G matches are all taking place in the United States (two in Los Angeles against New Zealand and Belgium, and one in Seattle against Egypt).

Iran’s ambassador to Mexico, Abolfazl Pasandideh, has now told reporters that the national team have been informed they must arrive and leave the United States on the same day for all of their 2026 World Cup matches. Per The Mirror, Pasandideh said:

“We can enter in the morning and we must leave the same day.”

Iran May Have to Break FIFA Rule

Iran coach Amir Ghalenoei

As well as presenting a host of potential logistical issues, this would also mean that Iran would have no option but to break one of FIFA’s strict tournament rules.

World football’s governing body have made it clear that every team’s coach must give a press conference on the eve of the match at the venue where their next match will be played, according to The Guardian.

However, this may not be possible for Iran if they must enter and leave US soil on the same day as their fixtures.

You scored

out of 20

With days to go before the tournament begins, Iran have called on FIFA to “hold the US accountable for violations of its rules and for the discriminatory treatment of Iran’s national football team”.

A statement posted on X by Iran’s Embassy in Turkey added: “You cannot whitewash conduct that violates FIFA regulations and breaches the United States’ host obligations merely by praising yourselves.

“Why do you not say that visas were denied to a large portion of the managerial and executive staff, technical advisers, and others who are an integral part of any national football team?

“You have now escalated the deliberate and discriminatory treatment against Iran’s national football team to its highest level.”


Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump


Fans of 2026 World Cup Nation ‘Heartbroken’ as Travel Permits Withdrawn at Last Minute

An unexpected late change has ruined travel plans with just days to go before the tournament begins

The statement continued: “By extending your whimsical hostilities against the Iranian nation into the realm of sport, the U.S. government in practice is depriving Iran’s national team of its right to play in the World Cup under normal conditions and without undue pressure and stress.

“This represents the worst possible form of politically biased interference in sport.”

Continue Reading

Sports

Why Cristiano Ronaldo Stands Sideways During Portugal’s National Anthem

Published

on

By


Cristiano Ronaldo is likely playing in his last-ever World Cup this summer. His first involvement in a major tournament for Portugal came in Euro 2004, while he won the European Championships competition in 2016, he’s never got his hands on the biggest prize.

Indeed, this will be the sixth World Cup Ronaldo has played in, and almost certainly his final chance to win it. Across the past editions, he’s scored eight goals and picked up two assists in 22 games, but has never made it past the semi-finals. Portugal came fourth in Germany 2006, crashed out at the Round of 16 in 2010 and 2018, didn’t even make it out of the group in 2014, and went out at the quarters in 2022.

Now 41, the Saudi Pro League star is very much past his prime, but will still expect to make a big impact this summer. In fairness, he has scored 10 goals in his last 10 international outings going into the tournament, which suggests he could yet be a real threat for the Portuguese.

At Euro 2024, however, Ronaldo struggled, failing to score as he started all five games before his team were knocked out by France in the quarter-finals. He made plenty of headlines that summer, but one interesting thing eagle-eyed viewers spotted was that he stood at a slightly different angle from his teammates during the Portugal national anthem ahead of kick-off. It’s likely to happen again at the 2026 World Cup, but why does CR7 do it?

Why Cristiano Ronaldo Stands Sideways During Portugal National Anthem

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo during the national anthems

As the Portuguese team line up, side by side to sing ‘A Portuguesa’, Ronaldo instead often chooses to stand sideways in the lineup. He does so as a way of showing how much love and respect he has for his nation.

Indeed, the Al Nassr striker positions himself differently to make sure that he is facing the Portugal flag wherever it is flying in the stadium. Beyond anything else, this is simply an act of patriotism.

This has been a tradition of the captain throughout his career as a sign of respect for his home nation. Some may laugh at this idiosyncratic behaviour, but it doesn’t seem to have hurt the veteran forward.

Indeed, Ronaldo has scored more goals for Portugal than any other player in international football. In fact, he’s scored more goals in the sport than anyone else, so his methods ought not to be questioned when it comes to pre-game superstitions.

Ronaldo’s International Record

Games

227

Goals

143

Assists

46

Major Tournaments

11*

Tournament Wins

1 (Euro 2016)

*Will become 12 once Ronaldo plays at the 2026 World Cup

Roberto Martinez Backs Ronaldo: ‘Age is Only a Number’

A custom image of Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Martinez and Bruno Fernandes

Ronaldo won Euro 2016 but was injured during the final. His absence in that game may be pointed out by those critics who suggest Portugal would be better off without him. Manager Roberto Martinez is often questioned about the matter, but has insisted that the 41-year-old is in the team based on merit, not reputation.

Speaking to the press about the five-time Ballon d’Or winner ahead of the tournament, the Portugal manager explained:

“We manage the Cristiano Ronaldo that plays for the national team trying to get into the squad for 2026, not the iconic figure.

“Age is only a number. Certainly in the national team we can measure exactly what’s happening on the day, and ​you make the decisions for the next day. You never look any longer than the next day.”

Portugal come up against DR Congo in their first Group K match, before meeting Uzbekistan and Colombia. Ronaldo will almost certainly start some of those games, and it will be interesting to see how he lines up during the national anthem.

Continue Reading

Trending