Tottenham player demands instant departure after bid from Premier League rival rejected

Brighton target Luka Vuskovic wants to leave Tottenham permanently, talkSPORT understands.

The 19-year-old is not happy at the prospect of being sent out on loan, or a lack of gametime at Spurs following the addition of Marcos Senesi and impending arrival of Jan Paul van Hecke.

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talkSPORT understands the north London side have reached an agreement to join Seagulls centre-back Van Hecke.

Spurs will pay £52million for the Dutchman, with the proposed deal coming just days after Brighton had a £35m bid for Vuskovic rejected.

Tottenham blocked the audacious attempt for the teenager, who has never made a competitive appearance for the club.

This appears to have angered Vuskovic, and he is now pushing for an exit as he goes in search of first team football.

It is believed that Roberto De Zerbi‘s side value the five-cap Croatia international at £60million.

Hot property

Vuskovic has emerged as one of Europe’s hottest prospects following his stunning loan spell at Hamburg in the 2025/26 season.

In 30 appearances in all competitions for the German side, he chipped in with six goals.

His dazzling displays earned himself a place in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.

And his performances have also seen a host of Europe’s elite to all keep tabs on his situation at Spurs.

As well as Brighton, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Juventus are all said to be interested in securing his services.

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Meanwhile, talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs, who recently listed him as one of the five best wonderkids at the World Cup, revealed Bayern Munich are among the clubs interested too.

Tottenham reached a £12m agreement with Hajduk Split in 2023 to sign Vuskovic, but he wasn’t able to join their squad until last summer due to EU rules.

His only appearance for Spurs came in a pre-season friendly at Reading, where he incredibly scored and assisted in just eight minutes.

Swapping centre-backs?

Brighton’s approach for the Spurs defender came just days after the two clubs spoke regarding Jan Paul van Hecke.

As mentioned, talkSPORT understands a deal has since been agreed, after the Dutchman was the subject of two previous bids from Tottenham this summer as they look to sign a new centre-back.

Seagulls CEO Paul Barber told talkSPORT that the club had rejected the first and second bid for their Dutchman.

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Van Hecke is entering the final year of his contract at the Amex Stadium, having joined Brighton in 2020.