---
title: "Brighton & Hove Albion: Jan Paul van Hecke lined up as potential Lewis Dunk replacement amid Chelsea rumours"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/brighton-van-hecke-transfer-rumours-dunk-chelsea/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "Brighton & Hove Albion"
published: "2020-08-07T15:10:15Z"
modified: "2020-08-07T15:10:15Z"
---

# Brighton & Hove Albion: Jan Paul van Hecke lined up as potential Lewis Dunk replacement amid Chelsea rumours

**Amid [recent transfer speculation](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-chelsea-turn-attention-to-shock-swoop-for-england-international/) linking Brighton captain [Lewis Dunk](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/chelsea-fc-transfer-rumours/chelsea-should-target-brighton-lewis-dunk-transfer-window/) with a possible move to Chelsea, the Seagulls are on the lookout for a potential centre-back replacement.**

Dutch media outlet [BN Destrem](https://www.bndestem.nl/nac/van-hecke-kan-naar-premier-league-malone-zet-nac-in-de-wachtkamer~a4175123/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter) reported \[via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/brighton-willing-pay-asking-price-van-hecke-transfer-nac-breda/)\] that Albion are keen on NAC Breda youngster Jan Paul van Hecke and are willing to meet the Dutch second tier outfit’s €2m (1.8m) asking price for the 20-year-old.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Van Hecke broke into NAC Breda’s first team last season, making [16 appearances and scoring three goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jan-paul-van-hecke/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/576314/verein/132) as his team finished [fifth in the Eerste Divisie](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jupiler-league/tabelle/wettbewerb/NL2/saison_id/2019). He also continued to feature for their under-21 side and proved surprisingly prolific at that level, scoring [six goals in nine games from centre-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jan-paul-van-hecke/leistungsdaten/spieler/576314).

A report from [World Football Scouting](https://www.worldfootballscouting.com/schede-giovani-talenti/jan-paul-van-hecke-talento-olandese-classe-2000/) cited the 6 ft 4 (1.9m) youngster as “a central defender with considerable physical structure, very strong in aerial play and good at setting up” chances. They also described him as a “strong and gritty character” who has become “one of the darlings of NAC fans”.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”306835″\]

Van Hecke’s defensive nous could be a valuable commodity for Brighton if they sign him and lose Dunk to Chelsea. The Seagulls skipper won 2.8 headers and 1.1 tackles per game in the 2019/20 season, along with averaging 1.5 interceptions per match (as per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/86441/Show/Lewis-Dunk)). Also, having [started all but two of Albion’s Premier League games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/lewis-dunk/leistungsdaten/spieler/148153), the 28-year-old would leave fairly substantial boots to fill.

Brighton’s links with a Netherlands-based player ring a familiar tale. They have already raided the Dutch leagues this summer to sign another centre-back in [Joel Veltman](https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/1745401/albion-make-dutch-international-their-second-summer-signing) from Ajax, as well as luring the likes of [Alireza Jahanbakhsh](https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2018/july/albion-sign-iran-international-for-club-record-fee/) (AZ Alkmaar), [Davy Propper](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40852639) and [Jurgen Locadia](https://www.brightonandhovealbion.com/news/2018/january/albion-break-transfer-record-for-striker/) (both PSV Eindhoven) from the Eredivisie in recent years.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

The potential loss of their captain Dunk may understandably leave some Brighton fans concerned, although Graham Potter seems to be doing his utmost to ensure that he is well-equipped at centre-back if the skipper departs.

Veltman joins [highly-rated](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-liverpool-want-to-sign-pl-ace-electrifying-their-scouts-35m-may-seal-deal/) youngster Ben White, [Adam Webster and Shane Duffy](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/brighton-amp-hove-albion/leistungsdaten/verein/1237) in competing for places at the heart of the Seagulls’ defence, with Van Hecke potentially being added to the mix as well.

\[freshpress-poll id=”313107″\]

Based on the scout reports on the 20-year-old, he looks like he could be Dunk’s long-term successor as a teak-tough defender who also has a knack for popping up with a few goals.

***Brighton fans, do you think Van Hecke would be a good acquisition for the Seagulls? How big a blow would it be to lose Dunk? Join in the discussion by commenting below!***