Chelsea are joined by Manchester United and other European clubs in the race to sign RB Leipzig star Joško Gvardiol.
The Blues have a firm interest in the 20-year-old, and this has been relayed by several reports in the past few weeks. His fine displays for Croatia at the World Cup and impressive form for the Bundesliga side have caught the attention of several clubs.
Sky Deutschland’s Florian Plettenberg took to Twitter to state that Chelsea, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona are ‘highly involved’ in the race to sign the defender.
Gvardiol was the main target for Thomas Tuchel in the last transfer window. Chelsea have maintained an interest in the player even after Tuchel was replaced by Graham Potter at Stamford Bridge in September.
The centre-back, who can also operate on the left side of defence, has a contract until 2027 and it doesn’t include a release clause.
News #Gvardiol: We’ve been told: NO release clause in his contract until 2027. But lots of top clubs informed about him for 2023. #CFC, #MUFC, Real and Barcelona highly involved. For Tuchel he was the main target. Boehly also focused on him. NO contact with Bayern. @SkySportDE 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/XQsOqjzpEx
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) December 5, 2022
Plettenberg doesn’t detail the fee that the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and others need to invest to sign the Leipzig star. However, he has managed to get a comment from Gvardiol’s agent, Marjan Sisic, on his client’s future.
❗️(1/2) Excl. #Gvardiol: His agent Marjan Sisic about his future: „Regarding a possible transfer in summer 2023 we are not in a hurry and I can make clear that there are no pre-agreements with any clubs.“ @SkySportDE 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/BMLzb4DebX
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) December 5, 2022
“Regarding a possible transfer in summer 2023 we are not in a hurry, and I can make clear that there are no pre-agreements with any clubs,” Sisic told Plettenberg.
“For sure, a lot of top clubs have been informed about him, but Joško has a long-term contract in Leipzig. Josko feels totally happy in Leipzig. His development is amazing, and RB are playing very good under Marco Rose,” he added.
