Josko Gvardiol leaves the door ajar for a Chelsea move despite Liverpool admission
Speaking to RTL Danas (h/t Evening Standard), RB Leipzig and Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol has kept the door ajar for a Chelsea move despite his recent Liverpool admission.
The Croatia international, who had an excellent World Cup, admitted that Liverpool is his dream club and talked about being in no hurry to leave Leipzig (Daily Mail).
Chelsea have long-term admirers of Gvardiol. They agreed on personal terms with him in the latter stages of the summer window, but the fee was too high to pay. Eventually, the defender signed a new contract with Leipzig.
But, here’s what Gvardiol said when asked about a potential move to Chelsea (h/t Evening Standard):
“They [Chelsea] did not give up, but it was agreed that we would go for the winter. Winter has come, so we need to see what and how to proceed, but it’s okay, there’s still plenty of time, we’ll see.”
“I’m not in a hurry. I’m in Leipzig, we still have six months to finish the season properly and to win something. And then we will look further to the future.”
In recent weeks, it was reported in the Guardian that the 21-year-old’s value has gone beyond €90m. Manchester City and Real Madrid are among the clubs interested in signing him.
Chelsea have signed a left-sided centre-back this window in the shape of Benoit Badiashile. The Athletic reported that the Blues’ interest in the Frenchman was ignited after Gvardiol’s fee was going out of reach.
So, it remains to be seen whether the club will go back to strike a deal for the Croatian, or have they moved on from this proposition.
With Thiago Silva (38) having his contract expire in the summer (Transfermarkt), and the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly (31) and Cesar Azpilicueta (33) not getting any younger, we could do with another defensive signing in the summer. Moreover, Koulibaly has not looked good in a Chelsea shirt so far.
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So, if the finances allow, there is room for us to sign Gvardiol. He is young, full of quality and can offer us a versatile option of playing as a centre-back and a left-back.