Luka Vuskovic, a young defender from Hajduk Split, is allegedly close to joining Tottenham Hotspur this week.
Over the weekend, reports claimed that Spurs had won the battle to recruit the highly coveted 16-year-old after both teams finalized the necessary paperwork and agreed upon personal terms.

According to reports, Tottenham managed to retain the services of Vuskovic despite stiff competition from teams like Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Paris Saint-Germain.

Man City reportedly made an early offer of about €10 million (£8.6 million) for Vuskovic earlier this year, but Spurs were able to negotiate a deal with Hajduk Split for about €14 million (£12 million).

Journalist Fabrizio Romano predicts that Vuskovic will complete his transfer to Tottenham this week.

However, due to new UEFA regulations brought about by Brexit, which say that British clubs cannot sign foreign players until they are 18 years old, Vuskovic cannot move to North London until 2025.

Therefore, it is anticipated that Vuskovic will continue to grow with Hajduk Split in his native Croatia before joining Ange Postecoglou’s squad.

Vuskovic, who made his professional debut for Hajduk Split in February of this year after successfully advancing through the club’s junior system, was born in February 2007.

The 6ft 4in center back has made a total of 11 first-team games. Just five days after turning 16 years old, he became the club’s youngest-ever striker when he scored the first goal in a 2-1 Croatian Cup quarterfinal victory over Osijek.

Vuskovic made an impact for Hajduk Split’s academy team prior to playing for the senior team, scoring eight goals in 21 appearances last season across local and international competitions.

Vuskovic is expected to become Tottenham’s ninth addition since head coach Postecoglou assumed control in July following two productive years at Celtic.

Over the summer, permanent moves to North London were made by Brennan Johnson, James Maddison, Micky Van de Ven, Guglielmo Vicario, Manor Solomon, Alejo Veliz, and Ashley Phillips for a total of more than £150 million.

Van de Ven and Phillips have improved Postecoglou’s options at center defense, which also include Cristian Romero and Eric Dier, but Dier’s future at the club is in doubt.

Ivan Perisic, 34, of Croatia, has reportedly slid further down the Spurs hierarchy and is reportedly being considered for a January transfer by Hajduk Split.