Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic has backed Luka Vuskovic to leave Tottenham because he needs to find a club where he can play regularly.
The 19-year-old centre-back is in contention to start on Wednesday in his nation’s Group L opener against England in Dallas despite lingering speculation over his club future.
Brighton have now seen two bids rejected for Vuskovic, the latest was worth up to £35million.
When asked by Mirror Football whether he was concerned about the player’s mindset because of what is going on in the background, Dalic said: “Vuskovic is a great talent and a great player, he played a great season in his club, he has great potential.
“He will be succeeding [Josko] Gvardiol, he’s very smart, he plays a difficult position and he’s still a young player. We will see how we use him.
“I expect him to prove himself at this World Cup and to be a great player for us in the next 15 years.
“He will decide his career himself with the people that manage him but it’s important for him to find a club where he will play in the starting XI. Again, we have a great player for the next 15 years.”
Vuskovic dazzled on loan in Germany with Hamburg last term, scoring six goals on his way to earning a spot in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.
His performances were so good, he’s already ruled out a return to HSV – where his brother plays and is set to return from a lengthy doping ban in November – because he is likely to have more lucrative options.
View 2 ImagesJan Paul van Hecke is heading to Tottenham and will increase competition for places(Image: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Roberto De Zerbi is on the verge of landing his second new centre-back of the summer in Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke having already completed the free signing of Marcos Senesi from Bournemouth.
Van Hecke looks set to join in a £52m deal having previously played under De Zerbi at the Amex. His arrival, subject to a successful medical, will only push Vuskovic further down the Tottenham pecking order.
He is keen to play regularly after proving himself in one of Europe’s top-five leagues and does not want to go on loan again.
For that reason, there is every chance he now departs Spurs on a permanent transfer, providing Tottenham’s valuation is met.
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