Tottenham Hotspur and Croatia defender Luka Vušković has revealed why he turned down a move to Manchester City before sealing his switch to north London.The UEFA Europa League holders secured the 18-year-old on a five-year deal from Hajduk Split during the summer transfer window, fending off interest from several European giants, including Manchester City, who were keen to add the Croatian prodigy to their ranks.
Manchester City had been exploring defensive reinforcements following a turbulent 2024/25 campaign marked by multiple injuries to key defenders such as Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones. The club brought in Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov during the January window to bolster Pep Guardiola’s backline.
That same month, long-serving right-back Kyle Walker departed on loan to AC Milan, leaving Guardiola’s side stretched for options. Despite the challenges, City managed to secure a third-place finish in what was one of their toughest seasons in a decade.
City’s newly-appointed director of football Hugo Viana spearheaded a major summer overhaul, approving the exits of several high-profile names including Kevin De Bruyne, Scott Carson, Ilkay Gundogan, Ederson, and James McAtee. First-team players Jack Grealish and Manuel Akanji were also allowed to leave on loan for more game time.
To rebuild, Manchester City recruited Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan and Rayan Cherki from Lyon, alongside the notable arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma to strengthen their goalkeeping department. Despite that, the club’s overall transfer approach has become more measured, focusing on strategic additions rather than large-scale recruitment.
Speaking to reporters about his decision to join Tottenham over Manchester City, Luka Vušković offered an honest insight into his thought process. As quoted by Sport Witness, the young defender explained:
“I think Tottenham was a perfect fit because they presented a great project. Manchester City has many, many young players. I didn’t want to be just a number. At Tottenham, they presented me as one of the top projects. And that really meant a lot to me at that moment. That was the deciding factor, let’s say.”
When asked if he would ever consider a future move to the Etihad, Vušković said:
“I honestly have no idea. I’m taking it one step at a time, feeling great right now, making good progress. And I hope it continues that way.”
Meanwhile, Manchester City will look to bounce back to winning ways when they return to Premier League action on Sunday against Bournemouth, following their narrow 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa last week that ended a two-month unbeaten run.
FAQs
Q: Why did Luka Vušković reject Manchester City?
A: Vušković said he chose Tottenham Hotspur because the club offered him a clearer development plan and viewed him as a key project rather than just one of many young players in a crowded system at Manchester City.
Q: Where did Luka Vušković play before joining Tottenham?
A: The Croatian defender played for Hajduk Split before joining Tottenham Hotspur in the 2025 summer transfer window.
Q: Did Manchester City try to sign Luka Vušković?
A: Yes, Manchester City were strongly interested in signing him as part of their long-term defensive rebuild, but the player opted for Tottenham’s offer.
Q: Could Vušković join Manchester City in the future?
A: Vušković did not rule it out but emphasized that his current focus is on developing at Tottenham Hotspur and taking his career step by step.
Conclusion
Luka Vušković’s decision to join Tottenham Hotspur over Manchester City highlights the growing appeal of clubs offering clear developmental pathways for young talents. While City continue to attract global stars, Vušković’s choice underlines the importance of long-term planning and individual growth opportunities in modern football. For now, both clubs are moving in their respective directions, with the young Croatian fully focused on making his mark in the Premier League.
