Brighton eyes Vuskovic
Brighton launches £30m bid for Tottenham's Vuskovic, eyeing top young defender
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Key Points
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Vuskovic’s loan at Hamburger SV/Hamburg did not just earn a spot in the Bundesliga Team of the Season—he also received a nomination for the league’s Young Player of the Season award.
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One report says any definitive deal is likely to be paused until after the FIFA World Cup in North America, when Vuskovic completes his international commitments.
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Brighton’s £30m offer is framed as a major jump from Tottenham’s original purchase price: the bid would represent a significant markup on the roughly £12m Spurs paid Hajduk Split in 2023, with Spurs reportedly valuing him at over €50m.
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Vuskovic is said to have a clear personal link to Brighton’s coaching staff: he “admires head coach Fabian Hurzeler from his time in the Bundesliga” (and the relationship is described as based on mutual trust from their overlap at Hamburg).
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Tottenham’s current squad-building could affect how they treat Vuskovic: they have added centre-back Marcos Senesi on a free transfer, while Vuskovic remains without a competitive first-team appearance for Spurs (having only featured during last summer’s pre-season).
Brighton & Hove Albion have made a £30 million opening bid for Tottenham Hotspur's teenage defender Luka Vušković, according to The Athletic. The 19-year-old Croatian has never made a competitive appearance for Spurs, yet his breakout loan season in Germany has made him one of Europe's most wanted young defenders.
Vušković spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Hamburger SV, scoring 6 goals in 28 Bundesliga appearances and earning a spot in the league's Team of the Season. His market value surged from €12 million to over €60 million in a single year, according to Transfermarkt.
From £12m Buy to £30m Bid in Three Years
Tottenham signed Vušković from Hajduk Split for roughly £12 million in September 2023, when he was just 16. He joined Spurs officially in July 2025 but was sent straight to Hamburg on loan. Spurs now hold him under contract until June 2030 and reportedly value him at over €50 million, making Brighton's opening offer a clear lowball, Yahoo Sports reported.
Brighton's £30 million bid would still represent a 150% markup on what Spurs originally paid. A full deal is unlikely before the FIFA World Cup ends, as Vušković is currently on international duty with Croatia. Any breakthrough in talks is expected only once his tournament is over.
Vušković Wants Brighton — And Trusts Hürzeler
The player himself is a driving force behind the move. Vušković reportedly admires Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler, who he got to know during his time in the German football circuit. The two are said to share a relationship built on mutual trust, according to Bulinews.
Transfermarkt notes Vušković is the second most valuable under-21 centre-back in the world. He has already reached a full verbal agreement with Brighton, per reports. His standout Bundesliga season included a highlight-reel scorpion kick goal against Werder Bremen in December 2025.
A Transfer Battle Tangled With the Van Hecke Saga
The Vušković bid does not exist in isolation. Tottenham have made two separate bids — the latest worth £50 million — for Brighton centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke, both rejected. Brighton CEO Paul Barber confirmed the rejections bluntly: "Yes, we have rejected a bid from Tottenham... In fact, two bids."
Brighton appear to view Vušković as Van Hecke's long-term successor. Some analysts suggest the two deals could effectively function as a swap, with Van Hecke heading to London and Vušković moving south. Tottenham, meanwhile, have already signed veteran defender Marcos Senesi on a free transfer to shore up their backline now, according to Sky Sports.
World Cup Could Price Brighton Out of the Market
The biggest risk for Brighton is waiting. A strong World Cup showing from Vušković — who has drawn comparisons to a young Joško Gvardiol — could attract interest from clubs like Real Madrid or Barcelona, who have previously monitored him, according to Yahoo Sports. Brighton want to move fast before that window closes.
Tottenham hold all the leverage on paper. They have a long contract, a rising valuation, and no urgent need to sell. But the signing of Senesi signals they are prioritising immediate defensive cover over waiting for Vušković to break into the first team — a fact Brighton are counting on in these negotiations.
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