Whether Spurs can bring £12m signing Luka Vuskovic in earlier than summer as lack of defensive depth worsens
Posted By Joe E
December 27, 2024
11:07 am
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Ange Postecoglou is enduring something of a crisis in defence at Tottenham.
Both Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven are struggling to stay fit, with the Argentine and the Dutchman both missing the last three Premier League outings – while Ben Davies and Radu Dragusin are also absent at the moment.
Things got worse in this respect for Ange Postecoglou on Boxing Day as Djed Spence received a one-match ban after picking up two yellow cards, adding salt to the wounds late on as Nottingham Forest defeated Spurs 1-0.
As a result, some have been asking whether Tottenham can bring Luka Vuskovic – who was signed in a £12m deal from Hajduk Split back in September 2023 – to N17 earlier than the summer transfer window, when he is set to make his move to north London.
Tottenham cannot bring Luka Vuskovic to N17 in January
The talented 17-year-old defender is making a real name for himself across Europe.
Vuskovic – who Manchester City wanted before Tottenham won the race – is clearly a top talent, having tempted Spurs into spending £12m on his signature when he was just 16.
However, Postecoglou will have to wait until the summer until he can start coaching the 6ft 5in Croatian, due to Brexit regulations.
New immigration rules introduced after Brexit state that Premier League clubs are unable to register foreign players under the age of 18.
Photo by KRISTOF VAN ACCOM/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
Vuskovic turns 18 in February – which obviously comes after the closure of the January transfer window.
Spurs fans should be very excited by the Croatian wonderkid
When the teenager – currently on loan at Westerlo – does eventually get started at Hotspur Way, a seriously exciting talent will be at Postecoglou’s disposal.
Vuskovic – who has been compared to Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City – is not only a strong defender, but he is incredibly effective at the other end of the pitch too.
Photo by MAARTEN STRAETEMANS/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
The Split-born sensation has impressively scored six goals and provided one assist in just 20 Jupiler Pro League appearances so far this season, with his latest effort coming in the 4-3 defeat to Club Brugge on Boxing Day, a quite remarkable bicycle kick.
Vuskovic – who Ange Postecoglou wanted at Celtic – seems set for a very bright future, to say the least.
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