Chelsea is currently the leading face for a 20-year-old phenomenal £96m star.
News One reports that Chelsea are the club who have been leading the race for RB Leipzig and Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol, journalist Pete O’Rourke has said.
However, O’Rourke thinks things have become much more difficult for the Blues following the 20-year-old’s exploits at the World Cup.
This online news platform understands that Transfer insider Dean Jones recently told GiveMeSport that Chelsea are eager to wrap up a deal for Gvardiol.
The west London club signed Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly during the summer, but it appears that they are still keen to add another centre-back to their squad.
Gvardiol is clearly the man they want at Stamford Bridge, but he is unlikely to come cheap.
According to Sky Sport reporter Florian Plettenberg, the Croatia international has a €110m (around £96m) release clause that becomes active in 2024. Whether Leipzig can convince him to stay at the club for that long, though, remains to be seen.
O’Rourke says Chelsea have been leading the race for Gvardiol but thinks things have become much more complicated for them in recent weeks.
Speaking to GMS, the journalist said: “I don’t think it’s going to be an easy race for Chelsea to win, but they’ve been the ones who have been leading the race from the start for Gvardiol.
“But it’s definitely got a lot harder for them in recent weeks following his World Cup exploits, and RB Leipzig are pretty adamant that he won’t be leaving in January. If he doesn’t leave in January, I’m sure there’ll be a potential move for him in the summer with a host of top clubs keen on him.”
He was easily one of the standout defenders of the tournament.
As per WhoScored, Gvardiol made 1.6 interceptions and 5.3 clearances per game in Qatar. No Croatia player could top him in either area.