Spurs Lead Liverpool in Race for Ordonez as Van Hecke Talks Stall

Tottenham's defensive recruitment drive has taken another turn, with the club now leading the chase for Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez as a potential Plan B should their pursuit of Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke falter.

Having already bolstered their backline with free-transfer signings Andy Robertson from Liverpool and Marcos Senesi from AFC Bournemouth, Spurs have made the Dutch centre-back their primary target. Van Hecke, who worked under Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi at the Amex, has been earmarked as a cornerstone defender for the north London club's future.

However, Brighton are holding firm on their valuation. Two previous bids from Spurs have been rebuffed, though the club reportedly intends to return with a substantially improved offer worth around £55m—a figure that sits near the upper limit of what Tottenham appear prepared to spend on the player.

Should those negotiations collapse, Ordonez represents an attractive alternative. The 24-year-old Belgian defender is available for approximately £39m, a comparatively modest outlay that has caught Tottenham's attention. Liverpool, who had previously stepped back from the race, are now reconsidering their position, but Spurs currently hold the advantage in the battle for his signature.

As for Van Hecke himself, the Brighton defender is currently focused on Netherlands World Cup duty and has not entirely shut the door on a move away from the south coast. When quizzed about his future this week, he acknowledged that transfer matters are swirling but insisted his immediate priority is performing well for his country.

"My focus right now is on Sunday's match for the Dutch national team—that's what matters to me," Van Hecke explained. "Obviously things are happening in the background, and I'm aware of that. But that's something for after the World Cup. I wanted clarity before the tournament, and I have that for myself. Once I make any move, everyone will know about it, but that decision comes after the World Cup."

The Brighton man's measured response suggests a player keeping his powder dry until international commitments are fulfilled, leaving Spurs to weigh up whether to persist with their Van Hecke pursuit or accelerate their interest in Ordonez.