De Zerbi Disagrees With Tottenham Chiefs Over Transfer of Luka Vuskovic

James joined Football FanCast in 2016 following a three-year spell working for Shoot Magazine, working his way up from freelance writer to editor, before moving across to GMS in 2020.

James has created exclusive, opinion and news content on GIVEMESPORT, with a predominant focus on the Premier League.

He has also developed strong working relationships with top tier journalists such as Fabrizio Romano, Dharmesh Sheth and Ben Jacobs, regularly chatting to them as part of an exclusives initiative. Sign in to your GiveMeSport account Tottenham Hotspur chiefs and Roberto De Zerbi disagree over the future of Luka Vuskovic following a third bid from Brighton and Hove Albion, according to former Spurs scout Mick Brown.

While Tottenham have been busy adding two new centre-backs to De Zerbi's squad this summer in the form of Marcos Senesi and Jan Paul van Hecke, it has raised questions over the futures of others currently in the Spurs squad.

As things stand, the Italian coach has Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, Radu Dragusin, Senesi, Van Hecke and Vuskovic to pick from for two centre-back spots in his preferred formation.

You would expect that when the Van Hecke signing is confirmed and announced, that at least two of the aforementioned players could be leaving the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Of those who were Tottenham players before the summer, Micky van de Ven and Kevin Danso seem the most likely to be staying, even if the former has been linked with a move to Liverpool from reports in his homeland this week.

Question marks have been raised over the future of captain Romero for months, while Dragusin has been linked with a move away too.

Spurs fans may have been hoping to see more of Vuskovic following a successful loan spell with Hamburg last term, but instead he is the subject of strong interest from Brighton.

Brighton have just launched a third bid worth £45m for the Croatia international, having already seen two offers rejected by Spurs in recent days.

A difference in opinion is emerging between Tottenham chiefs and their Italian manager too, with Brown telling Football Insider that the 46-year-old is willing to let Vuskovic leave the club this summer.

However, he adds that Spurs officials ideally want to keep the highly-rated 19-year-old unless they can land a huge fee for him, with one report suggesting they want £70m, and would prefer another loan move for the Croatian if he is to go.

Brown said: "It looks like De Zerbi is happy to let Vuskovic leave this summer.

"But Tottenham don't necessarily think the same, they brought him in as a young player who could develop and then become key for them long-term, rather than immediately.

"So he's still very highly thought of, he was impressive on loan at Hamburg last year, and from what I've heard, they would have been open to letting him go on loan again."

De Zerbi hinted at his stance over younger players towards the end of the season when he favoured the likes of Joao Palhinha over Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, who had played big roles in Tottenham's campaign up to that point.

The additions of Senesi and Van Hecke one again suggest the Italian is ready to go with the experienced options as he looks to lead Spurs back up the Premier League standings, which ultimately means that minutes will be limited for someone like Vuskovic, despite his potential.

While a loan move would probably suit Tottenham and De Zerbi, the player is clearly pushing for a permanent move where he knows he will be playing regularly.

Now it's up to Brighton to submit an offer that will make Spurs consider selling a player they rate so highly.