Leeds United need to continue convincing Dinamo Zagreb youngster Joško Gvardiol to make the move to Elland Road, with him preferring RB Leipzig at this moment in time.
That’s according to Sportske Novosti, who describe the ongoing transfer move as ‘one of the most unusual transfer stories’ in recent years at the club.
Leeds have moved quickly to try and sign the centre back over the last week, battling RB Leipzig with a €22m offer for the defender.
That bid was thought to have put them in the lead for his signature, with it explained that Leeds were ‘crazy’ to get a deal done as they were ‘convinced’ he can be an instant hit in the Premier League.
Unfortunately for them, those same reports stated that Gvardiol was not entirely convinced by the offer and Sportske confirm that is very much the case today.
However, the opposite has proven to be the case and ‘everything has dragged’ on instead because of the player not yet deciding he wants to go to Leeds.
It’s explained that after recently signing his first professional contract Gvardiol had planned to mature over the next year or two in Dinamo’s first-team.
But Leeds, and specifically Marcelo Bielsa, appeared, with it claimed that the Argentine boss is ‘stuck’ on the player. He is ‘persistent’ about a transfer and sees the youngster fitting into his team immediately.
And it is that which is making Gvardiol move away from Leeds. He believes the Premier League would be a big step forward and that young players can struggle in England’s top flight, particularly defenders.
Leipzig, though, are a team at the top of the Bundesliga, playing Champions League football and somewhere that offers ‘gradual development’. Similarly, the German top flight has proven to be a better place for young players to develop.
That is why for Gvardiol, and those close to him, Leipzig is ‘a better option than Leeds’ at this moment in time.
However, the difference between the two clubs ‘is growing’ with Dinamo having already said yes to Leeds but rejected Leipzig because of the difference in the money being offered.
Thus they are at the front of the queue for Gvardiol, although it seems they have plenty of work to do to convince him to make Elland Road his new home.
