HSV Hamburg sporting director Claus Costa has admitted it will be nearly impossible for them to replace Luka Vuskovic when he returns to Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
Fussball Transfers cover comments from the Hamburg chief today from an interview with Hamburger Abendblatt.
Vuskovic impresses in Germany
Luka Vuskovic has been on loan with the German side since the summer and impressed from day one.
The 19-year-old quickly established himself as a key man for the Bundesliga side, with a series of impressive performances at the heart of their defence.
It’s a season which has been highly decorated too. The Tottenham youngster was voted Bundesliga Player of the Season so far by fans in January, has won the Bundesliga Rookie of the Month four times and has been nominated for Player and Team of the Season.
HSV want to keep him beyond the summer, but it has been made increasingly clear that won’t be happening. The general consensus is that Vuskovic has outgrown the club this season with his performances.
Costa now admits that they know he’ll be going and replacing him will be a near impossible task.
“Replacing him with someone of equal calibre will be impossible, even though we have played successfully without him” he said.
“Luka is an exceptional player, but also an exceptional personality. At 18, he exemplified things in the dressing room that you would normally expect from a 28-year-old.
“Add to that the connection and the history surrounding the Vuskovic name and family. Everyone was looking forward to him. Only Mario can fulfil that emotional expectation, no one else.”
Tottenham or a new club?
The big question is what happens to Luka Vuskovic once he does return to Tottenham. Spurs seem intent on keeping him, even if they’re in the Championship.
But the defender’s performances this season haven’t gone unnoticed. Reports have already linked him with some of the biggest clubs in Europe.
And it appears that he has big ambitions too. He has reportedly made it clear he wants to move even if Tottenham remain in the Premier League.
That’s set up a potential summer of constant rumours and talks, with his agent already pushing his name at Barcelona. HSV, meanwhile, will start the difficult task of finding a replacement.