Transfer News: Arsenal interested in RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol amidst interest from Chelsea
According to mediafoot (h/t football.london), Arsenal have joined the race to sign RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol amid interest from Chelsea. The Gooners are said to have joined the fray for the player which already has Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City on the waiting list.
They are apparently willing to make a move for the centre-back in case William Saliba leaves. The Frenchman was on loan at Olympique Marseille last season and impressed there to a huge extent.
Gvardiol enjoyed an excellent last season with the German side winning the DFB Pokal and reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League. He made 29 league appearances for Die Rotten Bullen as they finished fourth on the table and qualified for next season’s Champions League.
The Croatian international joined Leipzig in 2021 and after his first season in the German top-flight, he has caught the attention of top Premier League clubs. Chelsea are in need of defensive reinforcements for next season and seemingly hold interest in the young defender.
Following the departures of senior centre-backs Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, Thomas Tuchel has been in the market for defensive reinforcements. He has signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli and the Blues are said to be having talks with Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe.
The 20-year-old has also been identified as a potential target for this summer. Gvardiol would be an excellent fit for Chelsea as he is already accustomed to playing in a back three at Leipzig. A left-footed centre-back, he could play on the left side of the back three.
Despite his young age, he has amassed huge playing experience and could be a terrific signing for Chelsea. But he will not come easy. Chelsea’s London rivals are in the fray and they will all love to get one up on the other.
It will be interesting to see if Tuchel goes all out for him or first gives his own young centre-backs a chance in the pre-season. The likes of Trevoh Chalobah and Ethan Ampadu would be desperate to be given a chance to impress their manager and maybe have a shot at making it to the team for next season.
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If Tuchel wants the Croatian in his team next season, he must act immediately or risk losing the player to a rival. It remains to be seen whether Gvardiol will play in the Bundesliga or not next season, but if he does not, Chelsea fans will hope that his next destination is Stamford Bridge.