MX23RW : Tuesday, April 30 06:11:17| >> :120:28895:28895:

Liverpool, Chelsea 'join Manchester City in Luka Vuskovic race'

Liverpool, Chelsea 'join Man City in Luka Vuskovic race'
© Reuters
Liverpool and Chelsea reportedly join Manchester City in the race to sign highly-rated Hajduk Split defender Luka Vuskovic.

Liverpool and Chelsea have reportedly joined Manchester City in the race to sign highly-rated Hajduk Split defender Luka Vuskovic.

The 16-year-old made his professional debut for the Croatian side in February and has started eight games in total for the first team in all competitions.

Just five days after his 16th birthday, Vuskovic became the club's youngest-ever goalscorer when he netted the opening goal in a 2-1 Croatian Cup quarter-final victory over Osijek last month.

Vuskovic has also enjoyed an impressive season with Split's youth team, with the 6ft 4in centre-back scoring eight goals in 20 appearances across both domestic and European tournaments.

The teenager helped Split's Under-19s side progress to the UEFA Youth League final, although the Croatians were heavily beaten 5-0 by AZ Alkmaar in the showpiece event on Monday.

Chelsea caretaker manager Frank Lampard on April 18, 2023.© Reuters

Nevertheless, Vuskovic's rapid rise in his homeland is understood to have caught the eye of a number of top European clubs ahead of the summer transfer window, with strong interest coming from the Premier League in particular.

A recent report claims that reigning Premier League champions Man City have submitted an opening offer for Vuskovic worth an initial €10m (£8.8m) upfront with a further €2m (£1.8m) in performance related add-ons.

However, according to the Daily Mail, the Citizens have been joined by Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle United in the race for his signature.

It is understood that representatives of all four English top-flight clubs travelled to Geneva to watch Vuskovic play the full 90 minutes in the UEFA Youth League final on Monday.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured on April 15, 2023© Lime Pictures

Vuskovic, who has represented the Croatian national team at Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17s level, recently extended his contract with Hajduk Split until January 2026.

Split are keen to keep hold of Vuskovic, but they may be forced to part ways with the talented defender if they receive an offer that they deem too good to turn down.

Vuskovic is not the only highly sought-after Croatian defender who could be on the move this summer, as RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol has also attracted interest from the Premier League.

Man City, Chelsea and Manchester United have all been linked with the 21-year-old, who expressed his desire to play in England earlier this year, although Liverpool are understood to have cooled their interest in the youngster who is valued in excess of £80m.

ID:512266:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5149:

Click here for more stories about Luka Vuskovic

Click here for more stories about Chelsea

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Napoli's Kim Min-jae in action on April 15, 2023
Read Next:
Man City to rival Man United for Kim Min-jae?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!