Tottenham receive surprise boost in chase for 23-year-old goalkeeper who’s valued at £50m

Tottenham Hotspur’s search for a new first-choice goalkeeper has gained unexpected momentum after Brighton and Hove Albion indicated they will not stand in the way of a summer move for Bart Verbruggen, the 23-year-old Netherlands international valued at £50 million.

Spurs have scouted Verbruggen extensively this season and have identified him as the leading candidate to succeed Guglielmo Vicario, whose erratic form has fuelled speculation that Inter Milan or Juventus will firm up long-standing interest and lure the Italian back to Serie A before the 2026-27 campaign.

Brighton’s willingness to elevate academy graduate Carl Rushworth, 24, into the senior squad should Verbruggen leave has removed a significant bargaining chip for the Seagulls, clearing the path for Tottenham to press ahead with what would be a club-record outlay for a goalkeeper.

Since arriving from Anderlecht in 2023, Verbruggen has matured into one of the Premier League’s most consistent shot-stoppers and has displaced several older rivals to become Ronald Koeman’s No. 1 for the Netherlands. His commanding presence, reliable distribution and composure under the high defensive line favoured by Ange Postecoglou’s coaching staff make him an attractive long-term solution to the uncertainty that has surrounded Vicario during three turbulent years in north London.

While Manchester United, Chelsea and Bayern Munich have all monitored Verbruggen’s progress, Brighton’s relaxed stance on succession planning hands Tottenham a rare head start in what is expected to be a crowded market for elite goalkeepers at the end of the season.

Technical staff at Hotspur Way believe Verbruggen’s age profile aligns with the club’s strategy of acquiring players who can anchor key positions for the next decade, and club insiders suggest the £50 million valuation is regarded as manageable within the current recruitment budget.

Negotiations are yet to open formally, but the pathway is now clearer for Spurs to test Brighton’s resolve and offer Verbruggen the opportunity to step into the No. 1 shirt at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.