Tottenham told to build next decade around star whose yet to play an official game for them
Luka Vuskovic has ‘got a terrific future ahead of him’ – Tottenham need to sell someone else to fund their summer rebuild.
That is the opinion of European football expert Andy Brassell, who believes the defender would be a massive plus for Spurs next season.
Vuskovic continued to underline why he has become one of Europe’s brightest young players while out on loan at Hamburg.
Having missed three matches through injury, all of which Die Rothosen lost, the 19-year-old has since helped the Bundesliga outfit record back-to-back wins upon his comeback.
Vuskovic marked his return to Hamburg’s starting XI by scoring a free-kick to fire Merlin Polzin’s side to a 3-2 victory over Freiburg.
“I think it’s an acknowledgement of his leadership role,” Trans Europe Express podcast host Brassell exclusively told talkSPORT.com.
“The fact that he likes to be involved, that he likes to be at the heart of everything, which I think is good news for Tottenham if he goes back there or wherever they decide to sell him to.”
Luka Vuskovic transfer latest
Vuskovic, who has previously revealed his intention to remain – at least for another season – at the German club, confirmed afterwards that it was his last appearance at the Volksparkstadion.
The Croatian has already been linked with a move to Bayern Munich, with LaLiga champions Barcelona also rumoured to be interested.
However, the centre-back will return to Tottenham this summer, at least at first, before the club make a decision on plans for next year.
Spurs forked out £12million to secure Vuskovic’s services in 2023, but the four-cap international is yet to play a senior game for the club.
Vuskovic has been one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga
Brexit red tape meant the Lilywhites had to wait for Vuskovic to turn 18 before he was able to complete his move to England last summer.
The former Hajduk Split starlet scored and assisted on his unofficial debut in a 2-0 pre-season win against Reading in July.
But ex-Tottenham boss Thomas Frank sanctioned a loan to Hamburg, where the defender has since scored six goals in 27 Bundesliga matches.
The Dane’s successor, Roberto De Zerbi, has now been implored to avoid making a similar mistake and instead build around Vuskovic.
“He’s been one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga this season,” European football expert Brassell added to talkSPORT.com.
“He’s been the difference between Hamburg staying up and going down,” Brassell continued.
“A teenager to have the leadership qualities he has, as well as the positional sense, the strength, the sangfroid, it’s quite remarkable.
“When you look at Tottenham next season, it feels to me that when they have a bit of a rethink, I think they’re more likely to include Vuskovic in the team than use him as collateral.
“He would be a great part of a Tottenham refresh. For them to have more leaders is a great thing, and he’s definitely one of those.
“But the way he was talking after that game [against Freiburg] was really interesting, he said, ‘It’s 99 per cent my last game here.’
“So, of course, there’s a little bit of him that would love to go back there and play with [his older brother] Mario and have a very good ending at Hamburg, but I think he’s realised that he’s kind of outgrown the club.
Theory behind De Zerbi’s plan for Vuskovic
“He knows that other Bundesliga clubs and other big Bundesliga clubs would be interested, like Bayern and [Borussia] Dortmund and not limited to Germany.
“He’s realised that in the real world it’s just not possible for him to stay at Hamburg. He’s just too good to stay there.
“He does have this contract with Spurs, and he’s got an opportunity to really do something with them.
“I wonder if his changing his tone is A getting to the end of the season or B whether De Zerbi has had a word with him already, or someone has had a word on De Zerbi’s behalf.
“That would not surprise me at all, someone who’s a great defender but is confident on the ball as well.
“I think he would be a massive, massive plus for Spurs next season.
“If you’re looking to make collateral, sell someone else because he’s got a terrific future ahead of him, and injury notwithstanding, you bring Vuskovic back, play him, and the sky’s the limit.
“You’d be able to sell him for more in 2-3 years time if you wanted to.
“Ideally, I suppose he becomes a cornerstone for Spurs over the next 6-8 years, but I think you have to be realistic and say he’s got a market value as well.
“Clearly, there’s going to be a bit of a rebuild there, but there’s definitely other players I’d rather sell than him.”
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
