One of the worst feelings as a club is missing out on a promising youngster before he is well known, missing out on signing him for a low price and having to sign him for a higher price later on. This has happened to Real Madrid on a number of occasions in the past, and it just happened to the club again with one of the best youngsters in the Bundesliga.
As being reported by Rodra of ESPN on X, Real Madrid were very close to signing current Hamburg center-back Luka Vušković when he was with Hajduk Split. The 19-year-old has rose to prominence in the Bundesliga this season, stamping his claim as one of the best youngsters in the world.
Real Madrid nearly signed Bundesliga wonderkid before he became known
The Croatian is currently on loan at Hamburg from Tottenham and is having a far better time than his parent club this season. Vušković has been a key figure in his side, helping to guide them to a current 10th place standing in the league, whereas Spurs sit in 16th, just one point above the relegation zone.
The defender has put in a number of top-class performances for the German side this season, catching the eye of several top European clubs, including Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. It will be tough for Hamburg to keep the defender beyond his loan this season, and given the position Spurs are in, Vušković will surely look for a move to a club competing with the best.
With Real Madrid in the market for a central defender this summer and potentially more than one, Vušković could well make a surprise move to the Bernabeu. Real Madrid have long held an interest in both Tottenham defenders of Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, but with prices for either of them easily exceeding €100 million, Vušković could be a more affordable move for Real Madrid to make this summer.
The club could look to sign Nico Schlotterbeck as their primary target as well as signing the 19-year-old to add defensive depth as well as a player who could develop into a key player for the future of Real Madrid. Real could land the defender for around €50 million, which in todays transfer market would be a steal of a deal for a player who could be a cornerstone of the club for a decade or more to come.