Tottenham agree £52m deal to sign 26yo Dutch star

Tottenham Hotspur have reached an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion to sign defender Jan Paul van Hecke, according to journalist David Ornstein.

The north London giants were engaged in talks with the Seagulls for the Dutchman and have eventually reached an agreement to land him.

They have finalised a package worth £52 million for the 26-year-old centre-back and he will soon undergo his medical before signing a long-term deal.

The arrival of Van Hecke is widely expected to coincide with the departure of Cristian Romero, who has been touted to move to Atletico Madrid.

Romero came close to joining the Spanish giants last summer, and Diego Simeone's side are poised to return for the centre-back pretty soon.

Micky van de Ven has also been linked with a move to Liverpool or Barcelona, but the Dutchman looks poised to stay this summer.

With Spurs avoiding relegation to the Championship, Van de Ven has been convinced to stay after speaking with manager Roberto De Zerbi.