Transfer Centre

Luka Vuskovic 'to complete Tottenham Hotspur move this week'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 12 September 2023

Vuskovic 'to complete Tottenham move this week'

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to complete the signing of 16-year-old Croatian defender Luka Vuskovic from Hajduk Split this week.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly set to complete the signing of teenage defender Luka Vuskovic from Hajduk Split this week.

Reports emerged over the weekend that Spurs have won the race to sign the highly-rated 16-year-old, with personal terms agreed and both clubs finalising the necessary paperwork.

Tottenham are understood to have fended off strong competition from the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain to secure the services of Vuskovic.

Man City were believed to have submitted an initial bid of around €10m (£8.6m) for Vuskovic earlier this year, but Spurs have managed to strike a deal with Hajduk Split worth around €14m (£12m).

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Vuskovic is expected to finalise his move to Tottenham at some stage this week.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Ange Postecoglou pictured in August 2023 © Reuters

However, Vuskovic is not able to arrive in North London until 2025 as new UEFA rules, as a result of Brexit, state that British clubs cannot sign oversees players until they turn 18.

Vuskovic is therefore expected to continue his development in his native Croatia with Hajduk Split before linking up with Ange Postecoglou's side.

Born in February 2007, Vuskovic made his professional debut for Hajduk Split in February this year after successfully progressing through the club's youth system.

The 6ft 4in centre-back has made a total 11 first-team appearances and became the club's youngest-ever goalscorer just five days after his 16th birthday when he scored the opening goal in a 2-1 Croatian Cup quarter-final win over Osijek.

Before representing the senior team, Vuskovic made a notable impression for Hajduk Split's academy side, scoring eight goals in 21 games across both domestic and European tournaments last season.

Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison reacts on August 19, 2023 © Reuters

Vuskovic is set to become Tottenham's eighth signing since the arrival of head coach Postecoglou, who took the reins in July after two successful years at Celtic.

Brennan Johnson, James Maddison, Micky Van de Ven, Guglielmo Vicario, Manor Solomon, Alejo Veliz and Ashley Phillips all completed permanent moves to North London over the summer for a combined fee in excess of £150m.

Both Van de Ven and Phillips have bolstered Postecoglou's centre-back options that also include Cristian Romero and Eric Dier, although the latter is facing an uncertain future at the club.

Meanwhile, Ivan Perisic has also fallen down the pecking order at Spurs and a recent report claimed that Hajduk Split are considering a January move for the 34-year-old Croatian.