Luka Vuskovic sale to be followed by 'Cristian Romero’s imminent departure' from Tottenham
Tottenham Hotspur may eventually regret allowing Luka Vuskovic to join Brighton permanently.
The Croatia international completed a club-record move to the Seagulls after an outstanding season on loan at Hamburg.
Spurs received a guaranteed £46million, with a further £4m available through achievable add-ons.
However, his departure comes amid continued uncertainty surrounding the future of Cristian Romero.
Tottenham have already strengthened Roberto De Zerbi’s defence with Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke this summer.
But, Bulinews writer and German football expert Eskender Tamrat believes there was a perfect solution that Tottenham have missed out on in Vuskovic.
Why was Luka Vuskovic backed as perfect Tottenham fit?
Vuskovic earned considerable praise during his loan spell at Hamburg, scoring six Bundesliga goals and establishing himself as one of Europe’s leading young centre-back prospects.
With Romero expected to depart, Tamrat was surprised that Tottenham did not give the 19-year-old an opportunity to establish himself under De Zerbi.
“With the latest news of Cristian Romero’s imminent departure and the injury and performance chaos at the club during the turbulent season, I’d have expected Spurs to be keen on keeping one of the absolute best centre-back prospects,” Tamrat exclusively told Tottenham News.
“I believe he’d have been a perfect fit for how they are building the team for Roberto De Zerbi elsewhere - especially in midfield - instead of Marco Senesi.”
Senesi joined Spurs following the expiration of his Bournemouth contract, while Jan Paul van Hecke was also recruited from Brighton.
There were nevertheless signs that Vuskovic may have required further development before becoming a regular at Tottenham.
“He had an incredible season in Germany, but the game against England might suggest he might not be ready for top-level football,” Tamrat added.
Croatia lost that World Cup group match 4-2, providing Vuskovic with an early demonstration of the demands he will encounter in England.
It was not his worst performance, but not his best either, with Zlatko Dalic opting against playing the defender for the rest of the tournament.
Tottenham clauses could transform Vuskovic transfer verdict
Had De Zerbi decided Vuskovic was not ready to feature regularly, another loan could have represented the safest option for Spurs.
Tamrat acknowledged that such a move could have raised the defender’s value further, but believes Premier League suitors were unlikely to accept a temporary arrangement.
“If it takes another loan to HSV or similar clubs to raise his market value, setting up this deal would be a much better option with no risks involved,” he said.
“But, if De Zerbi really had no place for him next season, Premier League clubs, where the money is, would only go for permanent transfers.
“In fact, I was more surprised by the matching option than the high sell-on clause.”
As covered by Tottenham News this week, Spurs have secured matching rights as part of the agreement, allowing them to have a big say in any future transfer battle, alongside the 20 per cent sell-on clause.
“For Vuskovic himself, it’s good to have a permanent club instead of leaving Spurs on another loan deal,
“With the Premier League more welcoming of set-piece dominance, we could even see him score more goals than last season," concluded Tamrat, after Vuskovic netted seven times in the Bundesliga last term.
For now, Tottenham have surrendered control over one of Europe’s brightest defensive prospects.
But, they may have sealed a crucial saving grace with both the sell-on clause and matching rights, meaning that he may well return as one of the world's best one day.