Leipzig turned down a final week bid from Chelsea to sign Josko Gvardiol
According to a tweet from Fabrizio Romano, RB Leipzig turned down a bid from Chelsea to sign defender Josko Gvardiol in the final week of the summer transfer window. They believe more clubs will be in the race next summer, including English champions Manchester City.
Chelsea’s bid to sign the Croatian international was for the summer of 2023 anyway, but the fact that the German side expects more clubs to join the race next year would make their negotiating stance stronger then.
Gvardiol recently signed a new contract with Leipzig, keeping him at the club till 2027. But, Chelsea remains on the lookout and the race to sign the 20-year-old is open.
Gvardiol is a centre-back by trade but can operate as a left-back, as he has done for both club and country. He is an academy product of Dinamo Zagreb and signed for Leipzig in the summer of 2021.
The 20-year-old played 46 games in all competitions last season, mostly as a centre-back and some as a left-back. He has played seven games this season, all of it in central defence.
The Croatian international is still young and raw, but he possesses the talent to be one of the best defenders for years to come. He has already gained a lot of experience playing in the Croatian and German top-flight leagues.
With Manchester City also expected to join the race next summer, Chelsea would find it tough to take on the English champions in a direct confrontation for the player’s signature.
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However, keeping in mind how good this player is and the prospects around him, the Blues should make sure they give it their best shot to sign him.