Tottenham wonderkid in huge demand as Thomas Frank faces critical transfer decision

Clubs across Europe are waiting to pounce for Luka Vuskovic on loan if Thomas Frank decides the teenage Tottenham talent can leave in the wake of Kota Takai's transfer, football.london understands.

Vuskovic has been one of the most sought after young defenders in Europe and Spurs saw off competition from Manchester City among others to sign the Croatian from Hajduk Split in 2023 while he was still just 16. The centre-back was not able to officially make the move until he turned 18 and Tottenham set up loans for him, first at Radomiak in Poland and then at Westerlo in Belgium last season, alongside young Spurs midfielder Alfie Devine. Those moves had the intended effect as Vuskovic has now played 61 games despite his age.

The 6ft 3ins defender has also scored a remarkable 11 goals and laid on four assists in those matches thanks to his ability to pop up in the right areas in the opposition box, allied with impressive technique which allows him to dribble and finish moves. One spectacular bicycle kick goal for Westerlo last season earned him plenty of plaudits.

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Vuskovic, who was handed his senior debut for Croatia at the end of last season, will finally arrive at Hotspur Way next month to join in pre-season training and allow his head coachFrank to have a good look at him in action alongside his new team-mates.

However, there is also set to be a new £5million defensive arrival next month at Spurs in the shape of Kota Takaifrom Kawasaki Frontale. The 20-year-old Japan international is expected to be part of Frank's squad for the coming season, although he will also be looked at during this summer's training sessions at Hotspur Way and on tour in Hong Kong and South Korea.

Takai, who turns 21 in September, is older than Vuskovic and has slightly more experience, having played 78 senior club games and appeared in four World Cup qualifying matches in the past nine months.

The Japanese centre-back has also played 13 times in the AFC Champions League against the best teams in Asia and helped Kawasaki reach the final this year after being named the J.League Young Player of the Year in 2024.

With a currently packed centre-back department, Frank must make a decision on whether both young new arrivals remain with the squad until January at least or whether the teenage Vuskovic needs another full season of regular minutes to continue his development. Tottenham will also be aware of the defensive injuries that cost them last season and required young midfielder Archie Gray to play as a centre-back for a large part of the campaign.

football.london understands that a string of clubs across Europe are waiting to try to take Vuskovic on loan if he becomes available this summer.

Another problem for both Vuskovic and Takai lies in Spurs' club-trained issues with their European squad, which means currently Frank must fit 31 players into 22 spots in his Champions League squad for the season ahead, not counting any further new signings.

While Takai is too old to qualify as club-trained, Vuskovic will be able to qualify after three years at the club and could also eventually be able to qualify for Tottenham's UEFA B list for younger players, even with one loan included.

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