Luka Vuskovic is set to return to Tottenham after an excellent loan spell with SV Hamburger.
Luka Vuskovic is already rated as one of the most exciting young talents at Tottenham Hotspur, despite not yet having made a senior appearance for the club. The 19-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season on loan at SV Hamburger, where he is currently the joint-highest scorer with six goals.
Following a strong Bundesliga campaign, the lanky Croat has earned a place in the league’s Team of the Season, whilst cementing his status among Europe’s brightest young centre-backs. Luka Vuskovic has made 29 appearances thus far, with his performances throughout the campaign proving key in SV Hamburger maintaining their top-flight status. It has also inspired interest from a number of top clubs from across Europe.
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are among those believed to have taken note of the teenage sensation’s displays in the Bundesliga. Premier League giants Liverpool are also understood to be keeping tabs on Vuskovic, who is set to return to Tottenham at the end of the season as planned.
Luka Vuskovic waves goodbye to Hamburg fans
Following his loan move to Hamburg, Vuskovic became an instant fan favourite at the Volksparkstadion. The central defender has been talismanic for Merlin Polzin’s side in sealing safety, and there has been clear intent from the Bundesliga club to extend his stay.
They hold no purchase option in the loan agreement that expires at the end of the current campaign, but having worked with Vuskovic throughout this season and helped in his development, the German outfit are keen on retaining him for another year. Plus, the Croatian international’s desire to one day play alongside his brother Mario, who returns from a doping ban in November, adds an emotional layer to a potential return.
However, Vuskovic now appears to have strongly hinted that his time at Volksparkstadion is coming to an end. Speaking after scoring in Hamburg’s 3-2 win over Freiburg, he told German magazine Kicker:
“99.9 per cent of the time, it [the Freiburg game] was my farewell party.
“It’s a special moment. I’m very happy that I was able to help this team. And I’m very happy that I was allowed to be part of this club.”
Roberto De Zerbi must rebuild Tottenham’s defence with Vuskovic
This development puts focus on how Tottenham intend to handle the next phase of Vuskovic’s evolution, as he has had a taste of playing regular football in Germany. Attempts from top European clubs to lure him away from N17 are in full force, but the Hotspur Way chiefs are seemingly calm about the situation. This is perhaps because the youngster has a contract until 2030, placing the club in firm control over his future.
With a return to North London on the cards, Vuskovic is exactly the kind of personality who should be central to the club’s defensive rebuild under De Zerbi. This season, the performances of senior heads Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven have been underwhelming, both of whom could depart this summer. Replacing them won’t be easy at all, especially skipper Romero, but De Zerbi may just have an in-house solution in the form of Vuskovic.
At 19, with decent experience and sky-high potential, the Croatian talent is waiting for his first taste of competitive action in Tottenham colours.