Germany face losing Schalke teenager Luka Vuzar to Croatia

The German Football Association (DFB) could lose another dual-nationality prospect, with the Croatian Football Federation stepping up its efforts to persuade Schalke midfielder Luka Vuzar to represent Croatia.

The 19-year-old made his first-team debut for Schalke against Bayern Munich in the second round of the league, attracting fresh attention to his international future.

According to German newspaper Bild, Croatia are intensifying their attempts to convince Vuzar to choose them. His background means he is eligible to play for either Croatia or Germany.

Vuzar has not represented any country at youth level and has yet to appear for the senior Germany team. He therefore remains free to decide which nation he will play for in the future, according to SPOX.

There has been no report confirming whether the DFB has already made contact with the midfielder. However, his progress and recent opportunity at Schalke could encourage Germany’s officials to act quickly.

Schalke have also moved to secure Vuzar’s future at club level. The club announced last Thursday that the defensive midfielder had extended his contract until 2029. Reports say he had received several offers from German second-tier clubs during the summer transfer window.

The situation comes as Germany continue to face competition for a number of players with dual nationality.

One notable example is Vuzar’s Schalke team-mate Sofiane El Fouzi, who chose to represent Morocco and is now a candidate for a place in the squad managed by Jurgen Klopp.

Germany have also lost Can Uzun and Kenan Yildiz to Turkey, despite both players previously appearing for Germany’s youth teams.

Paris Brunner’s international future remains unresolved, although the striker received his first call-up to the Germany Under-21 squad on Friday. The Democratic Republic of the Congo are also interested in Brunner, with their manager Sebastien Desabre confirming that he had spoken to the player’s parents.

Desabre said Brunner would not be put under any pressure over his decision.

Germany appear to have secured the continued international allegiance of Noahkai Banks and Louay Ben Farhat. Germany Under-21 manager Antonio Di Salvo said he was pleased that both players had agreed to continue their international careers with Germany.

Banks had attracted interest from the United States, while Ben Farhat has played twice for Tunisia. However, he remains eligible to change his international allegiance because neither of those appearances came in competitive fixtures.

Germany’s latest concern is therefore centred on Vuzar, whose senior debut for Schalke has brought him into the spotlight before he has committed himself to either national team.