Chelsea target Josko Gvardiol in action for RB Leipzig. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
According to Mirror (h/t Evening Standard), Chelsea are set to test the waters of RB Leipzig with a £45m bid for Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol.
Although the German side are expected to demand a much higher fee for a player who starred for his national team in the World Cup, the Blues are eager to get on the negotiation table as soon as possible. European champions Real Madrid are also interested, while both Manchester clubs have shown their cards too.
The 20-year-old has been one of the best young centre-backs in Europe for the last 12-18 months. His performances in Qatar were just the culmination of how good and consistent he has been in club football.
Chelsea wanted to sign Gvardiol in the preceding summer window, but could not complete the move. Instead, the player signed a new deal with the Bundesliga side. A few days ago, Daily Mail reported that Leipzig would hold out for a fee of more than £75m. So, this £45m bid may not do more than just test waters.
The Croatia international is one of the few elite centre-backs who is left-footed. It adds a different dimension to his game which cannot be matched by many.
Chelsea are potentially looking at a long-term replacement for veteran centre-back Thiago Silva. The Brazil captain, who has turned 38 recently and may not go on forever, is having his contract at Stamford Bridge expiring at the end of this season (Transfermarkt).
At 20, Gvardiol would not only bring quality in abundance but the longevity is almost guaranteed as well, provided his health bill remains clean for years to come.
The Blues could do with a signing like this to go over the line for them, after the summer window where they missed out on quite a few targets to other clubs, namely Barcelona.
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