Jan Paul van Hecke says he already knows what his future will hold, but he wants to keep focus firmly on the World Cup for now.
The Brighton centre back is expected to start for the Netherlands as they kick off their group fixtures against Japan. He has been the subject of two unsuccessful bids from Spurs, although there is increasing expectation that he will eventually make the move to north London.
Speaking to Dutch media in the run up to the Japan game, van Hecke said: “I’ve also said very clearly, I’d prefer to have clarity for myself before the World Cup.
“Only right now it’s clear for me. I also want to play the World Cup as well as possible, and what’s said outside or what people say doesn’t do me much good.
“That clarity will probably come after the World Cup.
“If I’m going to take that step, then it will be clear for everyone, although for me it already is.”
The summer window
The summer transfer window is set to open with Brighton keen on Spurs and Croatia centre back Luka Vuskovic. It is understood an initial £30m bid has been rejected.
But Seagulls chairman Tony Bloom and his colleagues will know how much Spurs boss Roberto De Zerbi wants van Hecke on board. That could work in their favour in pulling off what would be an audacious swoop for the highly rated Vuskovic.
The bottom line
Van Hecke knows his future. He’s just not telling anyone yet.
The Dutch defender has been clear with himself. Clarity will come after the World Cup.
Spurs want him. Brighton know it. And Brighton want Vuskovic in return.
The pieces are moving. The summer window is approaching. And van Hecke’s future will be one of the first dominoes to fall.
For now, though, his focus is on Japan. On the World Cup. On representing the Netherlands.
The transfer can wait. The tournament cannot.
But when it’s over, the clarity will come. And for van Hecke, it’s already there.
