Story perspectives

Brighton offers £30 m for Vuskovic; Croatia benches him

6/14/2026

Summary

Vuskovic Transfer Offer

Brighton & Hove Albion have offered £30 million for Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic.
Croatia coach Ilija Loncarevic said Vuskovic will not start in Croatia’s World Cup opener against England in Dallas.
Loncarevic said Vuskovic must improve timing, clean-sheet interventions and aerial duels before Croatia can rely on him.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi signed Marcos Senesi and is pursuing Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, who seeks club clarity.

Summary

Vuskovic Extends Deal

Luka Vuskovic, the Croatian centre-back, extended his Tottenham Hotspur contract to 2030, strengthening the club’s negotiating position.
His agent opened talks with FC Barcelona, adding a Spanish suitor.
Vuskovic’s 18 aerial-duel record and second-top scorer finish for Hamburg justified a €60 million valuation.
Brighton’s €35 million bid was rejected, prompting a possible raise to €70 million after Vuskovic’s verbal agreement for regular first-team minutes.

Summary

De Zerbi Loan

Roberto De Zerbi (Tottenham manager) is advised to loan 19-year-old Luka Vuskovic next season rather than sell him, with Brighton floated as a likely host.
Micky van de Ven (Spurs defender) will start as Tottenham’s left-sided centre-back, further limiting Luka Vuskovic’s chances.
Adding Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton defender) would push Luka Vuskovic to third-choice centre-back at Tottenham.
Brighton’s profitable handling of Jan Paul van Hecke suggests the club could flip Luka Vuskovic within a year.

History

Historical Context

When Liverpool sold forward Fernando Torres for £50 million in January 2011, it set a club record and demonstrated clubs’ readiness to invest heavily in marquee signings. That high-value precedent underpins Tottenham’s 2024 plan to loan a Croatian centre-back before a permanent transfer, aiming to replicate profit-driven defender deals seen in recent years.

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Vuskovic Transfer Offer

Brighton & Hove Albion have offered £30 million for Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic.
Croatia coach Ilija Loncarevic said Vuskovic will not start in Croatia’s World Cup opener against England in Dallas.
Loncarevic said Vuskovic must improve timing, clean-sheet interventions and aerial duels before Croatia can rely on him.
Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi signed Marcos Senesi and is pursuing Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, who seeks club clarity.

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