Brighton Preparing Third Bid for Tottenham's Vuskovic as Verbal Agreement Takes Shape

Brighton are poised to launch a fresh assault on Tottenham's resolve by tabling a third bid for promising young defender Luka Vuskovic, as the summer transfer saga continues to intensify.

The 19-year-old Croatian has emerged as one of European football's most exciting centre-back prospects following an impressive loan spell at Hamburg this season, where he notched six goals across 28 Bundesliga appearances. Now the Seagulls are determined to prise him away from north London.

Vuskovic arrived at Tottenham in 2023 from Hadjuk Split for around £12m but has yet to feature in a senior match for the club. His breakthrough came courtesy of his productive campaign in Germany, which has sparked serious interest from multiple suitors across the continent. The teenager also features in Croatia's World Cup squad.

German reporter Florian Plettenberg confirmed on Saturday evening that Tottenham swiftly rejected Brighton's €35m proposal, but crucially revealed that a verbal understanding between the player and the Seagulls is already locked in. "A new offer from Brighton is very likely to follow," Plettenberg stated, adding that Brighton currently represent "the most concrete club in the race."

Spurs, however, appear determined to extract maximum value from the deal. According to reports, their asking price has been set at £60m—a figure that reflects their belief in Vuskovic's considerable potential, though observers suggest such a valuation may be somewhat steep at this stage of his career.

Brighton's opening gambit came in at approximately £30m, which Tottenham dismissed outright. A second bid of the same value was similarly rebuffed by the north London club. Now the Seagulls are preparing what they hope will be a more persuasive third attempt, though the exact figure remains undisclosed.

The pursuit is understood to be closely intertwined with Tottenham's own efforts to acquire Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton, with one transaction potentially catalysing the other as negotiations progress. While Spurs remain reluctant sellers, there is a growing sense that Vuskovic himself is keen on the move to the Amex Stadium.