According to reports, Manchester City are now competing with Liverpool and Chelsea for the services of highly-regarded Hajduk Split defender Luka Vuskovic.
The 16-year-old started eight games for the first squad in all competitions after making his professional debut for the Croatian club in February.
Vuskovic scored the game-winning goal in last month’s 2-1 Croatian Cup quarterfinal victory against Osijek, becoming the club’s youngest-ever goal scorer just five days after turning 16 years old.
Vuskovic has caught the eyes of Liverpool
With Split’s youth squad, 6’4″ center-back Vuskovic has also had a standout season, scoring eight goals in 20 games in both local and international competitions.
The youngster assisted Split’s Under-19 team in reaching the UEFA Youth League finals, but they were soundly defeated 5-0 by AZ Alkmaar on Monday.
The Premier League clubs in particular are believed to have expressed a lot of interest in Vuskovic as a result of his quick ascent in his native country ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to a recent source, Man City, the defending Premier League champions, have made Vuskovic an opening offer worth an initial €10 million ($8.8 million) upfront and an additional €2 million ($1.8 million) in performance-related add-ons.
What the future holds
Vuskovic has extended his contract with Hajduk Split through January 2026. He has played for the Croatian national team at the Under-15, Under-16, and Under-17 levels.
Split wants to maintain hold of Vuskovic, but if they get an offer they can’t refuse, they could have to let go of the outstanding defender.
Vuskovic is not the only highly sought-after Croatian defender who may leave this summer; the Premier League has expressed interest in Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig.
The 21-year-old, who earlier this year announced his desire to play in England, has drawn interest from Manchester City, Chelsea, and Manchester United. However, it is said that Liverpool‘s interest in the player, who is valued at more than £80 million, has cooled.
