Chelsea, the Premier League giants, have made a resolute offer to secure the services of talented RB Leipzig defender, Josko Gvardiol, as per the latest reports.
The Croatian footballer still has an impressive four years left on his current contract with RB Leipzig. However, after his exceptional performances for Croatia during the 2022 World Cup, where he played the full 690 minutes of the tournament. He has drawn the keen interest of Todd Boehly at Stamford Bridge.
Gvardiol had already attracted attention from Chelsea in the past. Last year, the Blues made an offer for him, which was ultimately turned down by Leipzig. Fabrizio Romano, while speaking to GiveMeSport, revealed,
“They were the first to approach Leipzig last summer because they were pushing for Gvardiol. In the final days of the window, they had a bid rejected. It was €80m [£68m] plus add-ons, making it closer to €90m [£77m], to leave the player on loan at Leipzig for one season and then sign him in the summer of 2023. Leipzig said no and they extended his contract.”
The 21-year-old defender expressed his struggle in coming to terms with the denial of the transfer opportunity earlier this year. However, the latest update suggests that Mauricio Pochettino is planning to make a third attempt to secure his services.
Are Chelsea on the Verge of Signing Josko Gvardiol?
According to Spanish reports (via Paisley Gates), Chelsea, along with Liverpool and Manchester United, have all submitted offers to sign Gvardiol before the commencement of the 2023/24 season.
The trio of Premier League clubs is aggressively pursuing the defender and aiming to capitalize on the fact that he has not yet joined Manchester City, despite there being a previous agreement in place.
RB Leipzig has set a hefty price tag of €100m (£86m) for their prized asset. Leaving it uncertain whether any of the three clubs will be willing to meet the asking price.
Gvardiol’s remarkable performances for Croatia during the World Cup earned him the title of a “gladiator,” as described by journalist Ryan Taylor. He continued to display that high standard of play throughout the season with RB Leipzig, making him an ideal addition for Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea.
In the previous term, the Zagreb native averaged 2.3 clearances and 1.4 aerial wins per league game, according to WhoScored. Additionally, he won an impressive 17 out of 23 tackles, showcasing his solid defensive abilities. Notably, Gvardiol possesses the skill to drive forward and take on opponents, ranking in the 96th percentile for most successful take-ons in the Bundesliga. Furthermore, he contributed with five goals and three assists during his time in Germany.
Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand has labeled Gvardiol as “fearless,” highlighting his ability to compete and achieve success at the highest level. Having already secured five trophies since the beginning of his career. He could be the perfect candidate to bring a winning mentality to SW6.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chelsea’s bold bid for Josko Gvardiol represents a determined effort to strengthen their defense. And secure one of the most promising talents in European football. The race to sign the Croatian defender remains intense. And it will be fascinating to see which club ultimately succeeds in securing his signature.
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