{"id":916350,"date":"2026-06-29T20:13:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T01:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/29\/the-next-captain-after-romero-spurs-agree-personal-terms-to-sign-70m-star\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T20:13:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T01:13:11","slug":"the-next-captain-after-romero-spurs-agree-personal-terms-to-sign-70m-star","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/29\/the-next-captain-after-romero-spurs-agree-personal-terms-to-sign-70m-star\/","title":{"rendered":"The next captain after Romero: Spurs agree personal terms to sign \u00a370m star"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\"Cristian-Romero-Spurs-Sunderland\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/header>\n
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\n \n \"4\"\n <\/picture>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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Ethan is a feature and opinion journalist at Football FanCast.<\/p>\n

\nHe studied Football Journalism at the University of Derby, undertaking roles such as media assistant for Non-League side Mickleover Sports and EFL reporter for VAVEL.<\/p>\n

\nUpon graduating in 2023, Ethan spent six months at GRV Media as a Premier League journalist, before joining FootballFanCast in February 2024.<\/p>\n

\nEthan is an avid Nottingham Forest supporter and season ticket holder, who also holds a keen interest in Formula One.<\/p>\n

\nHe covers a host of sides from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, to Leeds and clubs across the Midlands such as Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa. He particularly enjoys producing analytical content. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

Sign in to your Football FanCast<\/span> account<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Tottenham Hotspur<\/a> are in desperate need of a successful summer transfer window to prevent a repeat of the two previous seasons in the Premier League<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Roberto De Zerbi<\/a>\u2019s immediate impact in North London saw the Lilywhites fend off any relegation threat and end the 2025\/26 campaign in a measly 17th position.<\/p>\n

However, it\u2019s not the supporters’ first rodeo in witnessing their team struggle in England\u2019s top flight, having finished in the exact same position 12 months prior.<\/p>\n

\n \"Tottenham\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

As a result, this summer is a crucial period for the hierarchy as they aim to climb back up the table and mount a push for the European spots throughout 2026\/27.<\/p>\n

The recruitment team have been working tirelessly in recent days to secure the services of numerous players, with a breakthrough seemingly on the cards ahead of the window\u2019s opening on Monday.<\/p>\n

\n Spurs agree personal terms to sign \u00a370m star this summer<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Spurs\u2019 hunt for added reinforcements this summer will certainly take them all across Europe, but additions from fellow Premier League clubs could also be a distinct possibility.<\/p>\n

Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo is just one player to emerge as a potential target<\/a>, with the Dutchman said to be open to leaving Anfield during the upcoming window.<\/p>\n

\n \"cody-gakpo-liverpool\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

A fee in the region of \u00a360m has been mooted for the 27-year-old forward, who netted seven league goals during the most recent campaign in England\u2019s top flight.<\/p>\n

Gakpo isn\u2019t the only Premier League player currently in their sights, as Brighton & Hove Albion centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke has once again emerged on their shortlist.<\/p>\n

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Spurs have already agreed personal terms with the 26-year-old<\/a> star ahead of a potential summer move to join the Lilywhites.<\/p>\n

He also claims that talks are ongoing between the two sides, after Roberto De Zerbi\u2019s men had their first offer rejected for the defender earlier in the week.<\/p>\n

The Seagulls are demanding at least \u00a370m<\/a> to offload Van Hecke this window, but it remains to be seen how much the Lilywhites are willing to splash on his signature.<\/p>\n

\n Why Van Hecke would be Spurs\u2019 next captain after Romero<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

After the struggles in the Premier League last season, changes are expected at Spurs this window, with centre-back Cristian Romero<\/a> one player who could be offloaded.<\/p>\n

\n \"Tottenham\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The Argentine has ruffled the feathers of the fanbase in recent months, as he\u2019s refused to dismiss rumours linking him with a move away from North London.<\/p>\n

However, it\u2019s safe to say he\u2019s not matched expectations in recent times, subsequently amassing 11 yellow and two red cards during the 2025\/26 campaign.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Most yellow cards for Spurs in the PL (2025\/26)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Player<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Tally<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Pedro Porro<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

10<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Cristian Romero<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Micky van de Ven<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Joao Palhinha<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Kevin Danso<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Rodrigo Bentancur<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Xavi Simons<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Archie Gray<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

His poor disciplinary record has undoubtedly cost the Lilywhites in key moments – something which has been deemed unacceptable, especially from the club\u2019s captain.<\/p>\n

Romero may well depart given the continued rumours over his long-term future, which could open the door for a new club-captain ahead of the 2026\/27 campaign.<\/p>\n

A move for Van Hecke could provide the next captain, with the Dutchman\u2019s quality and leadership at Brighton making him a key target for De Zerbi\u2019s men this summer.<\/p>\n

\n \"jan-paul-van-hecke-tottenham-premier-league\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The 26-year-old has been a constant figure in Brighton\u2019s recent Premier League rise, with his stats from the most-recent campaign highlighting the talent the defender possesses.<\/p>\n

His phenomenal tally of 2198 passes completed last term ranked him in the top 3% of all players in the division – highlighting his composure with the ball at his feet.<\/p>\n

De Zerbi\u2019s system demands that players be comfortable in possession, which could see Van Hecke play a vital role in his attempts to lead the Lilywhites back up the Premier League.<\/p>\n

Without the ball, the Dutch international has also caught the eye, subsequently winning 62% of his ground duels, whilst making 8.9 defensive contributions per 90.<\/p>\n

No Spurs centre-back managed to win more ground duels per 90 than the Brighton star last season – further highlighting the added quality he would provide upon any move.<\/p>\n

The agreement in personal terms is evidence that the player himself wants a move to North London – but it\u2019s vital the Lilywhites hierarchy work tirelessly to satisfy the Seagulls\u2019 demands.<\/p>\n

\n \"Van-Hecke-De-Zerbi\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\u00a370m would be an astronomical fee for the defender, but it\u2019s one that could hand De Zerbi the all-round top-level centre-back he\u2019s currently hunting for.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no reason why Van Hecke can\u2019t be a success in North London, potentially being the perfect man to replace Romero and take the armband in the hunt for success.<\/p>\n

\n


\n \"Brighton's<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

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\t\t
\n\t\t\tBetter signing than Van Hecke: Spurs now leading race for \u00a360m star
\n\t\t<\/a>
\n\t<\/h5>\n

Tottenham are preparing to bid for a former Premier League champion this summer. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

Ethan Lamb
Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Published Jun 14, 2026, 8:10\u202fPM GMT+1 Ethan is a feature and opinion journalist at Football FanCast. He studied Football Journalism at the University of Derby, undertaking roles such as media assistant for Non-League side Mickleover Sports and EFL reporter for VAVEL. Upon graduating in 2023, Ethan spent six months at GRV Media as a Premier<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":916351,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4854,23599],"tags":[11038,119435],"class_list":["post-916350","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-captain","category-romero","tag-captain","tag-romero"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/916350","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=916350"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/916350\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/916351"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=916350"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=916350"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=916350"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}