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

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.

© 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.

© 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.