[Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent](https://www.footballinsider247.com/author/pete-o-rourke-transfer-correspondent)
Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.
He starred for Croatia at the World Cup and has been a key part of Fabian Hurzeler's side so far this season.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider's Transfer Insider podcast, Brighton are not planning to let Vuskovic leave in an upcoming transfer window as Real Madrid also eye his services.
He signed a five-year contract at the Amex Stadium in the summer, with an option to extend for an additional season.
Luka Vuskovic set for Brighton stay despite Liverpool and Real Madrid interest
Vuskovic has started all eight of Brighton's Premier League matches so far in this campaign, missing just 12 minutes of action up to now.
Andoni Iraola is keen to add to his centre-back options next year, with Virgil van Dijk potentially on his way out, but may have to explore alternatives as Brighton stand firm.
Speaking on the Transfer Insider podcast, I explained: "It will take a huge fee to even make Brighton entertain losing him, which they're not. They want to keep hold of him. He's just arrived and is having a great impact down on the south coast.
"There's been talk of Real Madrid also being interested in Vuskovic, and I'm sure Liverpool, as well as a lot of the top guns, are keeping tabs on the Croatian international. He does look like a player with huge potential who probably will only get better and better."
Araujo joined Liverpool on loan from Barcelona to bolster Iraola's centre-back depth in the summer, but has largely found himself stuck at right-back so far.
Sources have exclusively revealed to Football Insider that Liverpool are setting their sights on signing Araujo permanently right now, ahead of their £47m option to buy him coming into effect at the end of the season.