Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Chelsea target Josko Gvardiol. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)
According to TuttoJuve via Sport Witness (h/t Football. London), Chelsea are said to be well ahead of the other teams in contention in the race for talented Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol.
Gvardiol plays his football for RB Leipzig and is highly regarded as one of the best young defenders coming through in world football. The 20-year-old has caught the eye of a number of clubs and the Blues are said to be leading the race to sign the talented centre-back.
Versatile in his position, the left-footed centre-back can also play as a left-back and this ability makes him great value for managers. Whilst Chelsea really do not need reinforcements in the left-back position, they certainly could do with a quality centre-back.
Gvardiol would not be the first defensive reinforcement Chelsea are making in recent times. The Blues have signed Marc Cucurella, Kalidou Koulibably and Wesley Fofana all for big money but it looks like they want to splash more cash in defence.
Gvardiol is currently representing his nation at the World Cup and he has been one of the best players for them until now. The 20-year-old is having a great tournament and this is definitely going to increase the interest in him and also the valuation.
The 20-year-old has played every minute for Croatia at the World Cup and has recorded 2.5 interceptions, 1.5 tackles and 4 clearances per game. He looks rock solid at the back and has a great future in the game which could be at Stamford Bridge.
One thing is for sure – Gvardiol will not come cheap. The German club are likely to demand a lot of money for their prized defensive asset. It remains to be seen if the Blues are willing to pay that kind of money having spent so much on defence recently.
Tottenham are another club heavily linked with a move for the 20-year-old with Antonio Conte supposedly keen on going all out for the defender. However, it bodes well for the Blues that they are well ahead of the others in negotiations.
At 20, it’s frightening to imagine the heights that Gvardiol could hit in his career. It would be nice if it happens in a Chelsea shirt but the Croatian is destined to succeed. It’s more a question where rather than if.
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