Brighton have agreed a deal that could be worth up to £50 million for Tottenham Hotspur defender Luka Vuskovic, a 19-year-old who has never played for Spurs. The initial fee is £46 million, with £4 million in add-ons. Tottenham only spent around £12 million on the Croatian last summer, and the deal includes a 20 per cent sell-on clause and matching rights for any future move.
Vuskovic's rise: from Hajduk Split to World Cup stardom
Vuskovic joined Spurs from Hajduk Split in the summer of 2025 but immediately moved to Hamburg on loan for last season. The centre-back impressed in the Bundesliga, making 30 appearances in all competitions and scoring six league goals. His performances earned him a place in the Croatia national team, and he became the youngest player to turn out for Croatia in a World Cup when he faced England in the opening group stage game in America.
Brighton's defensive overhaul
The signing is a coup for Brighton, given that both Bayern Munich and Barcelona were reportedly interested in Vuskovic, according to the Daily Mail. The Seagulls initially bid £30 million but were turned down before significantly improving their offer. Brighton have spent slightly less on Vuskovic than they received for Jan Paul van Hecke, who moved to Spurs for £52 million this summer. The club have also signed another centre-back this week, bringing in Pascal Struijk from Leeds for £20 million.
Hamburg boss praises Vuskovic's mentality
Vuskovic received high praise from Hamburg manager Merlin Polzin during his loan spell. 'What truly sets Luka apart is his incredible will to win,' said Polzin. 'He always wants to improve. His attitude towards being a professional footballer is top-notch. I’ve only had the privilege of working with a handful of players who have such a mindset.' Polzin added: 'I don’t want to limit him. When you have such a leadership role at 19 and your career takes off like this, I believe he’s capable of anything.'
Goal threat from the back
Vuskovic has also proved to be a goal threat from defence, scoring six Bundesliga goals last season and seven league goals during his season in Belgium with Westerlo in 2024/25. His leadership at such a young age has been highlighted as a key strength.
