Tottenham’s ability to act decisively in the transfer market has been underlined by Croatian agent Leo Dragicevic. He explained how Spurs moved ahead of Serie A clubs to secure highly-rated defender Luka Vuskovic.
Speaking to TuttoMercatoWeb, Dragicevic revealed that Italian clubs explored a move for the young defender before Tottenham stepped in and closed the deal.
According to the agent, the difference came down to timing and conviction. “I was in a situation where I tried to bring him to Italy, but Tottenham were quicker,” he said. “Italian clubs need to react faster. Croatia is a nearby country and Croatian players adapt easily in Italy, but if you hesitate, you lose opportunities like this.”
Vuskovic compared to Gvardiol
Dragicevic used Vuskovic’s case to reinforce his view of Croatia as a consistent producer of elite defensive talent. He compared the teenager’s trajectory with that of Josko Gvardiol and made clear how highly he rates the player.
“If we talk about defenders, Gvardiol has been doing top-level things for years. Now Luka Vuskovic is following in his footsteps. At this moment, he may be the best young defender in the world because his numbers are impressive”, he said.
The agent stressed that Croatia continues to produce three or four top-level prospects every year. In his view, Vuskovic fits perfectly into that pattern and stands out even among his peers.
Why Spurs moved early
Dragicevic also highlighted the technical and physical qualities that caught Tottenham’s attention so early. “He shows everything a modern defender needs. Aerial duels, carrying the ball forward, impressive technique. He plays as if he already has 500 matches in his legs,” he explained. The agent stressed how rare that level of composure is at such a young age.
While Italian clubs weighed their options, Tottenham acted with clarity and speed. As a result, Spurs secured one of the most highly regarded defensive prospects in European football.
Vuskovic is currently on loan at Hamburger SV, and is expected to go to the World Cup with Croatia.