Head coach Fabian Hurzeler is set to hold talks with Jan Paul van Hecke over the central defender’s Brighton & Hove Albion future.
The Dutch international, 25, is out of contract in June 2027 and there is no indication so far that he is willing to sign a new deal.
“I love Jan Paul, I love his attitude, how he works for the team, I love his mentality of winning,” Hurzeler said during his press conference for Saturday’s visit to Burnley, where van Hecke is poised to make his 100th Premier League appearance for the club. ”He has a big impact on his team-mates, therefore I would love to continue working with him, because we have a really good relationship.
“I also like some perspective from the players regarding their future. We will sit together, try to make a decision that is best for the club, that is best for the player. Jan Paul knows what he has with Brighton. He’s always had the opportunity to play, to grow, to make the next step.
“We hope to make the nest step together, to be successful with him. This will be our main challenge and then we see how it’s going.”
Van Hecke’s future is likely to be resolved before this summer’s World Cup and his anticipated inclusion in Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad. He is expected to attract interest from other clubs.
Brighton will not want a valuable asset, seen by Hurzeler as a natural successor as captain to long-serving defensive partner Lewis Dunk, to enter the final year of his contract with no clarity over his future.
“His improvement is impressive,” Hurzeler said. “He already played at a high level, but this season he has made another step. He has improved his consistency, he has improved especially out of possession. How he is committed to defend, how he uses his body in a very effective way to defend (against) very athletic players.
“He is good at keeping a structure in defensive shape and on top of that he is a great leader. He is leading by performance. He is a role model for that, every training session 100 per cent, every game 100 per cent. Therefore, he has all the characteristics to be a future leader for this club.”
Dunk, suspended for the next two games after reaching ten bookings, is set to be replaced alongside van Hecke at Burnley by Frenchman Olivier Boscagli.