Brassell urges Tottenham to keep ‘this’ star and sell someone else this summer.
European football expert Andy Brassell has delivered an emphatic verdict on Luka Vuskovic’s future at Tottenham Hotspur, insisting the club should build their rebuild around the 19-year-old rather than use him as transfer collateral, and find the budget needed for their summer overhaul by selling other players instead.
Vuskovic, Tottenham’s second-most-valubale player has spent the season on loan at Hamburg, where he has been one of the standout defenders in the Bundesliga, scoring six goals in 27 appearances and, according to Brassell, making the difference between the German club surviving and being relegated. His final appearance at the Volksparkstadion came in a 3-2 victory over Freiburg, where he scored a free-kick on his return from injury, a game he afterwards described as his farewell party, confirming his return to Tottenham this summer.
Brassell, speaking exclusively to talkSPORT, was unequivocal about where the Croatian fits into Tottenham’s plans. He said:
“He’s been one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga this season. He’s been the difference between Hamburg staying up and going down. A teenager to have the leadership qualities he has, as well as the positional sense, the strength, the composure, it’s quite remarkable.”
“If you’re looking to make collateral, sell someone else because he’s got a terrific future ahead of him. You bring Vuskovic back, play him, and the sky’s the limit. You’d be able to sell him for more in two or three years if you wanted to. Ideally he becomes a cornerstone for Spurs over the next six to eight years. There’s definitely other players I’d rather sell than him.”
Brassell also raised an intriguing possibility regarding De Zerbi’s influence. Vuskovic had previously spoken about his desire to remain at Hamburg, but his tone has shifted considerably as the season has concluded.
“I wonder if his changing his tone is getting to the end of the season or whether De Zerbi has had a word with him already. That would not surprise me at all.”
Tottenham Hotspur’s Luka Vuskovic will represent Croatia in World Cup
The Croatian will attend his first World Cup this summer, representing Croatia against England and others on the biggest stage, an experience that will only enhance his profile and market value further. Tottenham paid £12 million for him in 2023 and have yet to see him play a single competitive game for the club. That wait, Brassell argues, should end next season rather than be extended by a sale that would represent one of the worst pieces of business the club could possibly conduct.