The future of Luka Vuskovic is going to be one of the hot topics for Tottenham Hotspur and its supporters this summer. Vuskovich is under contact at Spurs until 2030 and after an incredible loan at Hamburg this past season is one of the hottest and most in-demand young central defenders in world football.
We suggested earlier this week that Luka’s short-term future might hinge on what Spurs end up doing with Cuti Romero. While there are indications that Romero is committed to the club and wants to stay, a lot of Tottenham fans don’t necessarily feel the same after an injury shortened season that saw him pick up a number of disciplinary cards, though frequently enhanced by referee decisions. If Cuti is sold this summer, it seems likely that Vuskovic could be his replacement, either as a starter or (more likely) a reserve member, along with the incoming Marcos Senesi. If Cuti stays, there won’t be very many minutes for him and a loan seemed more likely.
Today, German reporter Florian Plettenburg tweeted what might be some clarifying tidbits about what Spurs may do with him, and with Plettigoal again ruling out a return to Hamburg on loan.
I’m not sure I buy this fully — I feel as though Luka has (or should have) more than the two options of “stay at Spurs with a new contract” or “get sold to a megaclub.” A loan to another high-level club seems like it should also be an option if Tottenham can’t promise him the minutes at Spurs next season to continue his development. Even if Hamburg isn’t an option, it feels like there are any number of clubs that would gnaw their metaphorical arms off for the chance to take Luka Vuskovic on loan for a season.
I also don’t like the idea that Spurs could potentially cash in on Vuskovic before he even plays a single match for the club. That feels more like Bayern Munich copium than anything else, which would make sense since Plettenberg is a Bayern reporter and Bayern have been publicly slobbering over the idea of poaching Luka this summer, when it feels like they have a very small chance of actually doing so.
So what do I know? Given the two options Plettigoal suggests, obviously I’d prefer the first one. I just have serious doubts that those are his only two choices. Even acknowledging that Vuskovich clearly has a bunch of agency in negotiations with the club, surely Spurs are more creative than that.