Luka Vuskovic has taken his home country, Croatia, by storm. The domestic press is singing praises for the Bundesliga’s rising star.
The central defender, on loan to HSV from Tottenham Hotspur, once again showcased his goal-scoring ability in Croatia’s 2-1 friendly victory against Colombia, a team featuring top star Luis Diaz. In the 6th minute, Vuskovic scored the equalizer with a powerful long-range shot.
After the match, Vuskovic was not only named ‘Man of the Match,’ but the Croatian press was also overwhelmingly enthusiastic. One publication declared, ‘Vuskovic is not normal.’ Another added, ‘Now every skeptic has seen that he is very close to the World Cup squad.’
During his second start for Croatia, Vuskovic again excelled as a defensive leader against the world No. 14 ranked team, deployed by national coach Zlatko Dalic at the center of a back three – a formation he is well accustomed to from his daily routine at HSV.
Vuskovic Enters Croatian History Books
Beyond his strong defensive performances, Vuskovic is particularly feared by opponents for his aerial prowess, a key factor in his five Bundesliga goals this season. Against Colombia, however, he took a brave shot from about 25 meters out, which found its way into the net after a deflection.
‘It was really lucky,’ Vuskovic said afterward. ‘I tried to shoot from distance with my left, the ball went in and helped the team win, and that’s the most important thing. It’s a great feeling to score for the national team. I enjoy playing with such players and training with them every day.’ He dedicated his goal to former national striker Ivan Klasnic, who has been hospitalized for some time. ‘It’s not an easy time for him,’ Vuskovic noted about Klasnic, a former Werder Bremen player who has undergone three kidney transplants and recently served as co-coach for amateur club Croatia Hamburg.
Vuskovic, currently 19, cemented his place in Croatian history as the nation’s second-youngest international goal-scorer; only Luka Ivanusec in 2017 was younger. His breakout season has certainly not gone unnoticed by Europe’s top clubs.
Too Pricey for Bayern? Vuskovic Reportedly in Talks with Barca
Numerous top clubs are said to be eyeing Vuskovic, who is technically under contract with Tottenham Hotspur until 2030. However, he appears to have outgrown the Spurs. Reports indicate that FC Barcelona is already in discussions with the youngster, who is advised by agent Pini Zahavi. Zahavi reportedly maintains a good relationship with Barcelona President Joan Laporta and is also involved with coach Hansi Flick.
Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Chelsea are also rumored to be interested. While FC Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are reportedly monitoring Vuskovic’s situation, they may be outpaced financially, similar to Barcelona. It’s unlikely the German record champions would spend over €60 million, which is currently cited as the minimum transfer fee, especially given the current defensive duo of Dayot Upamecano and Jonathan Tah.
Max Eberl, Bayern’s sporting director, recently commented on the matter, stating, ‘We cannot sign every good player that the public believes absolutely must join FC Bayern.’ He also alluded to the powerful supervisory board, including honorary president Uli Hoeneß and former CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, adding, ‘Because at some point, the other side will say: ‘Max, we’re not a money-printer. We can’t inflate the squad like that.»
Luka Vuskovic: HSV Performance Data
| Competition | Games | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga | 24 | 5 | 1 |
| DFB-Pokal | 2 | — | — |