Sunderland are leading Blackburn Rovers in the race to bring Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke back to the Championship on a season-long loan deal, as reported by the Northern Echo.
A clean sheet in Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Stoke City aside, keeping the goals out has been a bit of a problem for Alex Neil’s side during their first season back in the second tier. Fifth in the table they may be, but only a handful of teams have conceded more Sunderland; Seven in just five games.
And with Dan Ballard and Carl Winchester now out for the long term, the Black Cats are determined to use the final two weeks of the window wisely. A new central defender is Neil’s top target, and there’s few better at this level than the man who could soon be posing for photos and signing autographs at the Stadium of Light.
According to the Northern Echo, Sunderland are currently in pole position to sign Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton. That is despite interest from Blackburn, the club where Van Hecke thrived on loan during the 2021/22 campaign.
The former Heerenveen man, who joined Brighton in a deal that could rise to £2.7 million a couple of years ago, was even named Blackburn’s Player of the Season in April.
Sunderland most likely to sign Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke
“He’s got personality, character, determination and he’s a warrior,” former Rovers boss Tony Mowbray said, while going as far as to compare Van Hecke with the legendary Bobby Moore.
“He’s good with the ball, he can pick a pass. He has wonderful attributes. We’re delighted with him.”
Van Hecke caught the eye after returning to Brighton in pre-season. A regular first-team role under Graham Potter at the Amex seems unlikely for the time being, however, given the glut of defensive options available to the Seagulls boss.
The Dutchman has not played a minute of Premier League football this season.
“We have been impressed with JP since he’s come back,” Potter said a couple of weeks ago. “He’s ambitious, he wants to play so that’s good. But at the same time he is intelligent enough to know maybe a little bit of patience is required.
“Always, I think, you have to carry on assessing (the options). Because what is right for him is also good for us. We’ve been really impressed with him.”
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