Local media in Hamburg have claimed Luka Vuskovic is 'too good for the Championship' if Tottenham are relegated.
Spurs are now flirting with that very prospect following another harrowing home defeat to Crystal Palace on Thursday evening in north London.
Vuskovic is still yet to feature in a competitive match for Tottenham after formally arriving from Hajduk Split last summer, though he technically joined the Europa League winners back in September 2023.
He has been a shining light in the Bundesliga this term, scoring four goals while also remaining a prominent figure at the heart of Hamburger SV's backline.
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So much so, local newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt have claimed he won't stick around in the Championship next season if Spurs fail to beat the drop.
They wrote: 'Should the club actually be relegated, they would have to sell Vuskovic – he's already too good for the Championship.'
There has been lots of talk in Germany this week that Barcelona are already eyeing a summer transfer for the young Croatian gem. He is set to feature for his national team at the World Cup in North America but beyond that, interest is expected to intensify.
German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also said to be tracking his progress while there has also been wild speculation that Liverpool could yet enter the fray.
What's certain is Vuskovic will definitely return to Tottenham at the end of the season as HSV were unable to negotiate a buy-option within the initial loan agreement.
Therefore Spurs, regardless of what the player wants to do, hold all the cards and there's still a belief that Vuskovic is firmly part of the club's long-term thinking.
They were ahead of the curve when they coughed up £12million to sign the talented teenager, pipping the likes of Manchester City and PSG to his signature.
Yet Vuskovic has already spoken publicly about his desire to feature alongside his brother Mario, who is set to return to action for Hamburg in November following a doping ban.
For that to happen, the 19-year-old would have to join HSV on a fresh loan deal and there are no guarantees Tottenham would sanction another loan.
Not only that but it appears they will now also face strong competition for his signature as he is one of the hottest young commodities in all of world football.
