Newcastle United are interested in signing Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke and have initiated talks with the player’s representatives, 3 Added Minutes can exclusively reveal.

The Magpies have been heavily linked with signing Seagulls striker João Pedro in recent days and weeks but he may not be the only JP on his way to St. James’ Park, as van Hecke has attracted interest on Tyneside. The five-time Netherlands international has been a regular starter for Brighton for the past two seasons and he’s gradually been progressing into one of the Premier League’s best ball-carrying defenders.

Newcastle United look to sign long-term centre-back option

newcastle have been keeping tabs on van Hecke as head coach Eddie Howe is keen to add depth and quality in the centre-half position this summer. Injury setbacks have often left the Toon light in that area of the field; the likes of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn will soon be entering their mid-thirties, and captain Jamaal Lascelles is now an emergency backup. The Magpies’ interest in van Hecke comes as a blow for Liverpool, who reportedly hold an interest.

Van Hecke, who Brighton loaned to Championship outfit Blackburn Rovers for the 2021-22 season before giving him a proper run in the first team, is exactly the profile of player Howe has been looking for. The 25-year-old ranked sixth across Europe’s top five leagues last season for the best progressive carry distance per 90 minutes and he ranked in the top eight per cent of Premier League defenders for chances created.

Brighton could be reluctant to sell Jan Paul van Hecke

now, the main role of a centre-half is of course to defend and help preserve clean sheets, but van Hecke’s ball-playing capability adds to his value a great deal. Among Premier League defenders, the Dutchman was the fifth-best for successful long balls per 90 minutes (4.2), behind Joachim Andersen, Dean Huijsen, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk. When it came to passes per 90 in general, van Hecke’s 61 could only be bettered by Josko Gvardiol, Levi Colwill, Tosin Adarabioyo, William Saliba, Manuel Akanji, van Dijk, Ruben Dias and teammate Lewis Dunk.

Not only that, but van Hecke was among the top 15 per cent of defenders in the division for duels won, aerial duels won, recoveries and tackles. The Brighton man did struggle when it came to one-v-ones as he was dribbled past on 18 occasions throughout 2024-25, but that was one of very few shortfalls in his game.

So, then, it makes great sense that Newcastle are in for van Hecke. The club have already reached out to the player’s representatives to gauge his level of interest, too. It may be tricky for any deal to be completed, however, as 3 Added Minutes understands Brighton are very reluctant to sell their most recent Player of the Season award winner and will demand a significant fee. It would certainly have to be a lot more than Transfermarkt’s mere £27 million valuation.

As talks are at a very early stage, there’s a chance Newcastle may not progress far in their efforts to sign van Hecke but the possibility is being explored. This is certainly one to watch over the coming weeks, though it’s worth noting that Brighton chairman Tony Bloom and CEO Paul Barber often drive a hard bargain. Van Hecke may be out of reach regardless of Newcastle’s intentions.