Luka Vuskovic is prepared to submit a transfer request to force a Tottenham exit after Brighton submitted a third bid for the defender.
Standard Sport understands that Spurs are weighing up an offer worth £45m from the Seagulls, with Vuskovic keen to leave in search of regular game time.
The 19-year-old is believed to be prepared to hand in a transfer request to force through a move away from Spurs, with Roberto De Zerbi unable to offer guarantees over minutes.
Spurs have already signed two centre-backs this summer, having confirmed deals for Marcos Senesi and Brighton centre-half Jan Paul van Hecke.
De Zerbi has been keen to add experience and leadership to his team, with the additions of Senesi, Van Hecke and Andy Robertson helping bolster a backline that conceded 57 goals last season.
Vuskovic enjoyed a productive loan spell at Bundesliga side Hamburg last season and has attracted transfer interest from across Europe.
Bayern Munich and Barcelona were both reported to be interested in the young defender who is hoping to use the World Cup to impress potential suitors.
He started as Croatia were beaten 4-2 by England in their opening World Cup group game and is expected to be involved when they take on Panama next week.
Asked about his future, Vuskovic admitted that while his focus was on helping Croatia at the World Cup, he wanted to play for a club that wanted him.
"For now I’m focused only on the World Cup,” Vuskovic said.
“My goal next season is to play for a club that wants me and where I will play. We’ll see what happens in the coming days and weeks."
