Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
Luka Vuskovic is already emerging as an extremely sought-after player, less than four months after exiting Tottenham Hotspur without playing a single game for the Lilywhites.
While many Spurs fans spent the entirety of last season salivating at Vuskovic’s performances at Hamburg, hardly anyone expected what was to follow.
Rather than stepping into Tottenham’s starting eleven this term as many thought he would, the Lilywhites sold the centre-back to Brighton to help partially fund their squad rebuild.
Incomings
Andrew Robertson Free
Marcos Senesi Free
Martin Dubravka Free
Jan Paul van Hecke £52m
Mateus Fernandes £85m
Sandro Tonali £100m
Savinho £85m
Omar Marmoush £60m
Tosin Adarabioyo £12m
Mykhailo Mudryk Loan
Total spent £394m
Outgoings
Luka Vuskovic £50m
Will Lankshear £20m
Radu Dragusin £21m
Alejo Veliz £7.7m
Alfie Devine £6m
Tynan Thompson £8m
Manor Solomon £7m
Cristian Romero £34.1m
Ashley Phillips £20m
Djed Spence £30m
Kevin Danso £25m
Pape Matar Sarr £25.6m
Total received £254.8m
Tottenham’s net spend £139.2m
Spurs’ decision to sell Vuskovic for £50m is already being widely criticised, with the 19-year-old being one of the best defenders on show in the Premier League so far this season.
Reports over recent weeks have said that Chelsea, Barcelona and Bayern Munich are already plotting moves for the former Tottenham man, but the trio may be about to be overtaken by another Premier League giant.
Appearances 10
Minutes Played 888
Average Rating 7.38
Goals 1
Tackles 10
Blocks 7
Interceptions 11
Duels Won 62
Fouls Committed 12
Yellow Cards 0
Red Cards 0
Former Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic
Photo by Matt McNulty/Getty Images
Liverpool set Luka Vuskovic as top target just months after Tottenham departure
The Daily Briefing has now revealed that despite only making 15 appearances for the Seagulls, the Croat has already won several admirers across Europe.
The report claims that Liverpool are now showing ‘really strong’ interest in Vuskovic after watching the start he has made to his spell at the Amex Stadium.
The Reds were left ‘surprised’ when Tottenham Hotspur sold the centre-back in the summer, and they are now closely monitoring his progress.
There is recognition at Anfield that they need to work on finding Virgil van Dijk’s successor, and Vuskovic has emerged as the top target for Andoni Iraola’s side.
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Statistic Luka Vuskovic Micky van de Ven Jan Paul van Hecke
Club Brighton Tottenham Tottenham
Appearances 10 9 10
Minutes played 888 736 900
Goals 1 0 2
Assists 0 0 0
Expected goals (xG) 1.22 0.65 1.64
Tackles 10 7 16
Interceptions 11 3 10
Clearances 62 36 48
Ball recoveries 43 29 35
Duels won 62 39 62
Aerial duels won 40 20 40
Pass accuracy 89% 96% 91%
Average FotMob rating 7.37 6.99 7.56
Spurs could be set for a big financial boost as a huge fee is quoted for Vuskovic
The Daily Briefing say that senior figures at the Amex Stadium are already aware that they could face ‘a major struggle’ to keep hold of the former Tottenham man in the next couple of transfer windows.
However, Brighton will certainly not allow Vuskovic to leave at a discount, with the teenager expected to cost in the region of £85m-£90m.
One source told the outlet about the Croat: “Brighton are realistic and pragmatic about this, they know, because it’s part of their whole strategy, that eventually Vuskovic is going to leave for big money. Liverpool view him as elite, and perfect to slot into Andoni Iraola’s system.”
The Lilywhites have also retained a 20 per cent sell-on clause on Vuskovic. If the centre-back does end up costing £90m, the North Londoners could stand to earn around £18m from the deal.