Report suggests 25-year-old Newcastle United target rejected new contract and still wants move from Premier League rival
Newcastle United bought well in the summer, and Eddie Howe's squad is in a much stronger place than it was last season, but there's always room for improvement.
The Magpies are already working on potential January targets, and while a lot will depend on what Howe feels is needed nearer the time, and which competitions Newcastle are still fighting in, it doesn't hurt to think ahead.
Newcastle missed out on several big players in the summer, and while many moved elsewhere, there were a few targets who simply stayed put.
One of those was Brighton and Hove Albion's defensive stalwart Jan Paul Van Hecke.
Jan Paul Van Hecke wants Champions League and has rejected Brighton's offers of a new deal
Jan Paul Van Hecke has been one of the most consistent defenders in the Premier League of late, and that inspired Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur to enquire about his availability in the summer.
Brighton were able to fend off any interest, but according to Football Insider's sources, they may struggle to do so again in January with Van Hecke rejecting offers of a new deal.
The Dutch defender wants to play in the Champions League, and if either Spurs or Newcastle are still going strong in the competition and show an interest in the 25-year-old, Brighton could have a problem.
There's a big chance that there's nothing in this one
Newcastle did manage to bring in German international Malick Thiaw this summer to fill that defensive void, but with a lot of our defensive options over the dreaded 30 mark, another, younger centre-back in the rotation wouldn't go amiss.
However, we'd be remiss if we didn't bring up the elephant in the room - "Football Insider's sources". Code for "Peter O'Rourke is having a stab at a story and needs to make it sound more credible".
There has been interest in Van Hecke from Newcastle, so there could be some truth to this one, but with it being a Football Insider original, we'll be taking this one with a hefty dose of sodium chloride for now.
