Manchester City make official eight-figure proposal for Luka Vuskovic

Croatia international centre-back Luka Vuskovic is subject to an eight-figure proposal from Manchester City, according to a new report.

This month, Vuskovic scored the opening goal in Hajduk Split’s 2–1 win over NK Osijek in the quarter finals of the 2022/23 Croatian Football Cup, and at 16 years and 5 days old, he became the youngest goalscorer in the history of Hajduk Split in official matches.

City’s under-19s squad recently had a first-hand experience of the quality of Hadjuk Split’s rising talents, having been knocked out of the UEFA Youth League last month following a 2-1 defeat to the Croatian side’s under-19s team.

Now, it has been stated that Manchester City officials have been left impressed enough to lodge a formal financial proposal for the services of a player who is regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in the game.

That is according to a new report from The Athletic’s David Ornstein, who states that not only are City among the ‘numerous’ teams looking to sign Luka Vuskovic, but also that the Premier League champions are the first club to submit an official offer out of his potential suitors.

It is claimed that Manchester City have proposed an opening deal worth €12 million for Hajduk Split’s 16 year-old central defender, comprising of an initial €10 million plus a further €2 million in potential add-ons.

At present, it is clarified that Manchester City’s offer has neither been accepted nor rejected, with Vuskovic having recently teamed up with renowned football agent Pini Zahavi.

City’s summer transfer business could revolve around another Croatian central defender, with club officials showing a strong interest in RB Leipzig’s 21 year-old versatile star Josko Gvardiol.

Officials at the Etihad Stadium are expected to be in the market for the player, and could intensify their interest especially in the event of a first-team departure from the central defensive positions, with Aymeric Laporte understood to be open to a move away.

However, one potential stumbling block in any deal is RB Leipzig’s intention to secure the services of Gvardiol for a club record fee, and could demand an initial financial outlay comfortably in excess of £100 million.