Spurs Line Up Ordonez as Van Hecke Insurance amid Defensive Reshuffle

Tottenham have identified Club Brugge centre-back Joel Ordonez as a potential fallback target should their pursuit of Jan Paul van Hecke hit the rocks, reports suggest.

Spurs' dramatic final-day escape from the drop zone—a 1-0 victory over Everton that left them two points clear of relegated West Ham—has clearly focused minds on reinforcing the backline this summer. The north London club have already moved to strengthen with the arrival of Andy Robertson on a free transfer from Liverpool, while Marcos Senesi's switch from Bournemouth has also been completed on a four-year deal running until June 2030.

The Argentine defender's move was described as a formality, with Senesi having committed to the project weeks earlier, and his medical was completed this week.

Attention now turns to the Brighton situation. Tottenham have already seen two offers for Van Hecke rejected, but sources indicate a third bid is imminent. The defender, who has just one year remaining on his current contract, is understood to be keen on the move, with optimism persisting that a deal can ultimately be struck.

Yet contingency planning is underway. Should negotiations with Brighton prove unsuccessful, Ordonez represents an alternative avenue. The Club Brugge defender has caught the eye of De Zerbi, who previously monitored the Ecuadorian international during his Marseille tenure.

However, competition for Ordonez's signature is intensifying. Juventus have already tabled an offer, while Chelsea and Liverpool are circling. Brugge's asking price stands at around €45m (£39m), and the Belgian club's valuation reflects the defender's growing market prominence. Tottenham are banking on De Zerbi's influence to tip the scales in their favour, though the financial firepower and European pedigree of rival suitors may ultimately prove decisive.

Elsewhere, Spurs are edging closer to a deal for Manchester City winger Savinho, with the Premier League champions seeking approximately £60m for the Brazilian talent.