Jan Paul van Hecke was left out of the Brighton and Hove Albion squad for their 2-0 Premier League victory over West Ham United following talks with Sunderland, per the Sunderland Echo.
Now, the talented young Dutchman might not have played a minute of football against either Manchester United or Newcastle. But he was, at least, included in the matchday squad for both of those outings.
So Van Hecke’s absence from Graham Potter’s team-sheet for Sunday’s trip to the London Stadium will raise an eyebrow or two on Wearside.
Especially after Sunderland held talks over a deal to bring the former Heerenveen, NAC Breda and Blackburn Rovers man to the Stadium of Light on a season-long loan deal, as reported by the Northern Echo.
Sunderland lead race to sign Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke
Alex Neil’s high-flying Black Cats are leading the chase for Van Hecke’s signature. That is despite interest from a Blackburn side hoping to bring the 22-year-old back to Ewood Park. Van Hecke was a huge hit at the Lancashire outfit last term, earning comparisons with the legendary Bobby Moore while picking up Rovers’ Player of the Season award.
“He’s got personality, character, determination and he’s a warrior,” said former Rovers boss Tony Mowbray, a renowned developer of young talent.
“He’s good with the ball, he can pick a pass. He has wonderful attributes.”
Sunderland are desperate to bring in a new centre-half or two before September’s deadline. Especially now that Carl Winchester and Dan Ballard are out of action for the foreseeable future.
The League One play-off champions are reportedly negotiating with Standard Liege for one-time Burnley target Moussa Sissako. Van Hecke, however, offers a proven track record in the Championship. He should have few problems slotting straight into Neil’s XI at the Stadium of Light.
“We will be recruiting. I’m very confident we will have players in sooner rather than later to help the squad,” the ex-Preston North End boss told The Chronicle before Saturday’s 1-0 win at Stoke City, a result which lifted Sunderland into the play-off positions.
“It’s always a rush towards the end of the window. I’m hopeful we might get a couple in before the hectic ‘supermarket sweep’ at the end.
“I’m hopeful we can get a few things across the line shortly.”
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