Spurs are in the market for a centre back this summer, but the exact profile of whoever they sign entirely depends on whether they avoid relegation to the Championship.
Roberto De Zerbi's men climbed out of the bottom three with a huge 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Sunday after West Ham suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Brentford.
The Lilywhites are now favourites to stay in the Premier League at the Hammers' expense, and if they do, an exciting summer could be in store, starting with defensive reinforcements.
According to TEAMTalk, Spurs are ready to step up their pursuit of Brighton centre-back Van Hecke ahead of the summer, despite strong interest from Chelsea and Liverpool.
Van Hecke has become one of the Premier League's most consistent defenders, establishing a key role in the heart of Fabian Hurzeler's back line.
But even if Brighton gatecrash the European places - currently two points behind sixth-place Bournemouth - their defensive stalwart could still depart the AMEX.
TEAMtalk's report claims that De Zerbi's relationship with Van Hecke gives Spurs a "key advantage" in negotiations, potentially giving them an improved chance of landing the 25-year-old.
Van Hecke made 50 appearances under De Zerbi's management at Brighton, with the Italian playing a crucial role in his development between 2022 and 2024. The pair could now reunite at Tottenham this summer, as long as they stay in the Premier League.