Tottenham have a dilemma on their hands with Luka Vuskovic after rejecting two offers from Brighton for the teenage centre-back.
The 19-year-old, who established himself as one of Europe’s best young defenders on loan at Hamburg, wants to be a regular starter now but is not interested in another temporary move.
Brighton’s latest offer was for £35m and Sky Sports News understands that they will not go back in with a fresh proposal immediately despite agreeing a deal to sell central defender Jan Paul van Hecke to Spurs for £52m on Tuesday.
Vuskovic’s prospects of being a first-team regular at Spurs next season appear slim now, with Van Hecke set to join and Marcos Senesi already signed this summer. If Micky van de Ven and Cristian Romero stay, Vuskovic will realistically be Spurs’ fifth choice.
Romero’s future is uncertain, just as it was last summer before he signed a new deal, but it remains to be seen if there are any clubs that would pay enough to convince Spurs to sell.
There is a real feeling at Spurs that Vuskovic could become one of the best defenders in the world but that he is not quite ready to make that step to being a regular starter in the Premier League.
Luka Vuskovic
There are parallels to the situation Arsenal had with William Saliba. The France international had three loans in Ligue 1 before being fully integrated into the first-team picture and becoming one of the Premier League’s best defenders.
Spurs have plans to spend big this summer and, naturally, that will lead to player sales. However, in an ideal world, they will raise funds elsewhere on players who are not part of De Zerbi’s future plans.
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic says it is important that Vuskovic finds a club where he will play regularly. Spurs agree but can only offer a loan. Brighton can give the teenager what he wants but are unwilling to overpay. This situation could rumble on.
Spurs agree Van Hecke deal
The deal for Van Hecke is believed to be around £52m and the player has expressed his desire to play under ‘father figure’ Roberto De Zerbi.
The centre-back only wanted to join Tottenham.
Roberto De Zerbi and Van Hecke worked together at Brighton
The Netherlands international defender has one year left on his contract at Brighton and played under De Zerbi between 2023 and 2024.
The Seagulls would be making considerable profit on the 26-year-old, having signed him for £1.8m from NAC Breda in 2020. It is understood Brighton have negotiated a 20 per cent sell on clause in the move.
The signing is part of a huge few weeks planned at Tottenham, with the club determined to back De Zerbi in the market and major changes planned.
The club have a strong interest in Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, while they also remained interested in Manchester City forward Savinho.
Van Hecke signing a reward for De Zerbi
Sky Sports’ Michael Bridge:
This is total commitment in De Zerbi and you could also say a reward for keeping Spurs up. He’s kept the club up and now he’s been given full control and has the final say on transfers.
With Van Hecke, they are getting a defender who is comfortable on the ball, much like Marcos Senesi, and excels at taking opposition players out of the game.
Yes, it’s a big price. To put it simply, it’s the player De Zerbi asked for.
A lot of people will be wondering about Cristian Romero. On his day, he is one of the best defenders in the world. But, that’s on his day. He is playing about 50 per cent of the time because of injuries and suspensions. There was plenty of speculation over whether he would watch his team in the final game of the season.
I think if a big offer comes in for Romero, they will consider it. They key is whether they get a big offer.
Analysis: De Zerbi’s transfer plan clear at Spurs
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:
You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work out what Tottenham are trying to do in this transfer window: Roberto De Zerbi is looking for centre-backs who are better on the ball.
In agreeing a deal for Van Hecke – having already secured the free transfer of Marcos Senesi – Spurs are looking for excellent ball progressors in the first phase of play.
In Senesi and Van Hecke, De Zerbi is targeting two of the Premier League’s best in this specific area. These were the top two players in the league last season for bypassing defenders by passing the ball.
Quite simply, they are able to soak up pressure at the back and take opposition players out the game by putting the ball through the lines.
Marcos Senesi and Van Hecke are two of the best ball-playing defenders in the Premier League
Under Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth, Senesi was used to a very direct, vertical style of play where he would punch the ball through the thirds quickly.
Van Hecke, meanwhile, is accustomed to De Zerbi’s intense style of play having played 50 matches under the Italian during their time together at Brighton.
That work has been built on by Fabian Hurzeler, who told Sky Sports in 2024: “It helps that the coach I had here before was De Zerbi because he integrated this style of play,” when asked about his defenders playing out from the back in dangerous areas.
Spurs getting two ball-playing defenders is a sign that this is something they feel they lack. The numbers back that up. Senesi and Van Hecke are a level above Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven in terms of passing ability.
If Spurs end up getting both players, what will it mean for Spurs’ current centre-halves?
