The Tottenham Hotspur teenager's future has been the subject of plenty of speculation this season but has made it clear what needs to happen for now
Tottenham defender Luka Vuskovic has instructed his agent to halt any talks about his future while he concentrates on his first World Cup with Croatia this summer.
The 19-year-old centre-back has caught the eye over the past 12 months with his performances on loan for Hamburger SV, helping them stay up and earning him a spot in the Bundesliga Team of the Season. Vuskovic has been linked with all of Europe's big clubs, including Barcelona, Bayern Munich and PSG, while it is likely that Spurs will offer him a big contract to reward him for his enhanced status in the game.
Vuskovic, who currently has a long contract with Tottenham until 2030, has seen his form recognised by a call-up to the Croatia squad for the World Cup and he could be involved in their warm-up match against Belgium in his homeland on Tuesday.
According to Croatian media, the teenager has made it clear to his agent that all talks with Spurs and potential suitors must be halted as he concentrates on the World Cup and his international commitments.
Croatian media outlet Sportske Novosti, as relayed by Sport Witness, wrote: "We received information from a reliable source about what Luka told his managers and Tottenham. He told them that he is now concentrating only on the national team, that all talks and negotiations should be stopped immediately and postponed until after the World Cup.
"He does not want anything to distract him from his focus on Croatia and the World Cup, and when he returns from America, he will decide where he will play next. The option of continuing to play for HSV does not seem likely."
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The report went on: "Are there offers and interest from big clubs? There are, it's not just letters, that's true, but he put them all on hold. Vuskovic is only 19 years old, he has his first big competition ahead of him, which he dreamed of, but it's clear that no one, not even him, can dictate everything.
"We often used to see players receive offers that make their heads spin during the World Cup or just before it, and that's how some of our players signed, for example Ivan Rakitic for Barcelona in Brazil, but the young stopper wants to avoid that and return to club matters when he's done with the [World Cup]. He made that clear to Tottenham and the people who represent him. It remains to be seen whether this will be possible given the pressure of the market, but it is clear that Vuskovic, although young, thinks very maturely."
Ultimately, with that long contract, Vuskovic's future is in the hands of Tottenham and his new head coach Roberto De Zerbi.
"Playing with my brother at HSV would be a dream and a dream come true for me, but it's hardly possible. I don’t know what else to say except - impossible," the young centre-back said last week.
"I think he's [De Zerbi] a top-class coach. He likes attacking football, he likes build-up play, and I really like that. I hope we’ll work well together in the future."