Liverpool and Chelsea are reportedly keeping tabs on Brighton centre-back Luka Vuskovic, according to TEAMtalk. The 19-year-old Croatian is attracting plenty of European interest.
Vuskovic’s Rise from Hajduk Split to Brighton
Tottenham Hotspur signed Vuskovic from Hajduk Split last year, then loaned him to Hamburg to get regular minutes. He impressed in the Bundesliga, scoring six goals and keeping six clean sheets in 30 appearances. Spurs chose not to keep him after strengthening with Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi, and Brighton stepped in. He has since earned a place in the Croatia squad.
Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the Mix
Chelsea are said to be monitoring his progress with a possible approach next year. They face stiff competition from Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Bayern Munich have also followed him closely, though they would first need to sell a defender, with Kim Min-jae and Hiroki Ito reportedly available.
Vuskovic Transfer Fee Could Be Substantial
Vuskovic’s Brighton contract runs until 2031, and Tottenham are entitled to a 20% sell-on clause. Any suitor will therefore need to pay a considerable sum.
What Makes Vuskovic Special
Standing 6ft 4in, the right-footed defender is strong in the air, comfortable playing out from the back and capable of picking out long passes.
Our Opinion
Chelsea signed Maxence Lacroix this summer but have still struggled to keep clean sheets, so another defensive addition would make sense. Liverpool, meanwhile, have Virgil van Dijk’s contract expiring next summer and need a long-term successor. In our view, Vuskovic suits both clubs’ needs, though Brighton’s strong negotiating position could push the price beyond what either wants to pay.