Inside Spurs: Vuskovic's Stock Continues to Rise as Brighton Step Up Pursuit

There is a growing anxiety among Tottenham supporters that the teenager's burgeoning reputation might mean they never see him establish himself in north London.

The 19-year-old centre-back is already a Tottenham player, but after spending last season on loan at Hamburg, his future has become one of the most compelling side stories of the club's summer transfer window.

Interest is intensifying across Europe, with Brighton leading the chase after submitting a new £35 million bid.

Tottenham have so far resisted interest, but it has left them confronting a scenario they never wanted to encounter.

While the club entered the summer anticipating possible changes across their defensive ranks, Vuskovic has always been perceived differently from many of his senior peers.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario and defenders Cristian Romero and Radu Dragusin were all viewed as players who could depart if the appropriate offers materialised.

Vuskovic, in contrast, has been considered one of the club's most exciting long-term assets. Another loan spell was regarded as a possibility, but a permanent exit was not part of the strategy.

Tottenham are convinced the Croatian has the qualities to become a top-class defender and have been resolute in resisting attempts to lure him away.

Brighton continue to press, however, and Spurs may yet find themselves in a struggle to hold onto a player whose value has increased significantly over the past year.

His situation unfolds against the backdrop of a potentially transformative summer for Tottenham's defence under Roberto De Zerbi.

The Italian has already overseen significant recruitment as Spurs seek to improve on last season's disappointing league finish.

Andy Robertson has arrived from Liverpool, while Argentine centre-half Marcos Senesi is joining from Bournemouth. On Tuesday, Tottenham also moved to agree a £52 million deal for Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton.

Those acquisitions further strengthen a defensive unit that already includes Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso and Dragusin. Yet uncertainty remains over how that group will appear by the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

And how Vuskovic fits into the plans.

As he prepares for a big game with Croatia, a strong performance is only likely to draw even more attention.