Is this the start of the great Spurs exodus? Barcelona and Bayern Munich lead race for defender, 19, amid strong season on loan – as relegation-threatened strugglers identify new contender for sporting director post

Barcelona and Bayern Munich are leading the scramble to prise Luka Vuskovic away from Tottenham in the summer.

The 19-year-old central defender has excelled during a loan this season at Hamburg in the Bundesliga.

His performances have attracted interest from many across Europe, including some in the Premier League and Italy’s Serie A.

The Croatia international is thought to be keen on a move away from Spurs whether they escape relegation or not.

Vuskovic has yet to make a competitive appearance for the North London club he joined from Hajduk Split.

He played preseason friendlies last year before then boss Thomas Frank opted to send him on loan to continue his development.

Spurs beat strong opposition to strike a £12million deal for Vuskovic in 2023 but could not formalise the transfer to England until he turned 18 last year.

He was loaned from Hajduk to Radomiak Radom in Poland and then Westerlo in Belgium and this season has been a fixture in defence for Hamburg, making 21 Bundesliga appearances.

His brother Mario, 24, has also been at Hamburg but is currently serving a ban for doping which ends in November when he is expected to rejoin the club.

Luka has spoken in the past of his desire to play alongside Mario which has fuelled Hamburg’s hopes of keeping the rising star on loan for another year.

The gathering clamour from wealthy and illustrious suitors including Bayern and Barcelona though might force the situation.

Spurs see Vuskovic as one of their prized young assets alongside Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall and see this loan as a vital part of his progress.

They have him under contract until 2030 and will want to keep him but look set to have a fight on their hands.

The ongoing relegation crisis and instability at the top are unlikely to persuade Vuskovic and his representative he is better off remaining in N17 when he could join one of the most successful clubs in Europe.

MATT BARLOW 

Freedman a contender for sporting director role 

Tottenham have identified Dougie Freedman as a contender to become their new sporting director, as pressure mounts on interim boss Igor Tudor.

The club have been exploring potential candidates to replace Fabio Paratici and to work alongside Johan Lange.

Chelsea’s co-sporting director Paul Winstanley and Bournemouth’s president of football operations Tiago Pinto are others under consideration.

Spurs are continuing with plans to restructure as concerns grow over Tudor’s position.

Thursday night’s 3-1 defeat by Crystal Palace means Spurs are just one point above the bottom three with nine matches remaining.

Tudor has lost all three of his games in charge. As things stand, the club say he will take the team for the Champions League round-of-16 first leg against Atlético Madrid on Tuesday. Spurs play Liverpool a week on Sunday at Anfield and then have a crunch home game against Nottingham Forest.

Dougie Freedman, right, has been identified as a contender to becomes Tottenham’s sporting director

Whether Tudor stays will be decided by chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and sporting director Lange who would make a recommendation to the Lewis family representative Nick Beucher in Florida.

Spurs hope to have a sporting director in position ahead of appointing their next permanent manager but their Premier League status will be key to that process. Roberto de Zerbi, who they have spoken to, and Mauricio Pochettino remain among frontrunners for the summer.

Freedman, meanwhile, is with Saudi Arabian side Al-Diriyah but forged his reputation at Crystal Palace where he was instrumental in identifying players such as Adam Wharton, Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Dean Henderson as suitable talents to develop.

SIMON JONES