MY ACCOUNT
Josko Gvardiol was one of the stars of the World Cup and may well be destined for a Premier League switch this summer.
The Croatian defender enhanced an already burgeoning reputation with some stellar performances in Qatar, which helped his nation to reach the semi-finals of the tournament against the odds.
Now wanted by Europe’s biggest clubs, the 21-year-old has spoken about how close he has come to moving to England in the past and recently reinforced his ambition to play in the Premier League.
Ahead of Gvardiol facing Manchester City with his Bundesliga employers RB Leipzig this evening, we take a look at where his future might lie.
Buyout clause
Gvardiol became one of the most desired defenders on the planet with his brilliant displays at the winter World Cup.
Wearing a distinctive face mask to protect a previously fractured eye socket, the youngster showed maturity, rock solid defending and the confidence to play out from the back.
He was already on the radar of many big clubs, with Chelsea having failed with a late summer move that saw a £70million bid rejected.
Gvardiol now has a reported £98million buyout clause built into his new contract with RB Leipzig that can be triggered in 2024, though it is likely that he will move before then.
The big-spending Blues are reported to still be interested, while Liverpool and Manchester City have also been linked.
Leeds move
Gvardiol has come close to a Premier League move before, but did not think he was quite ready for the challenge.
In 2020 he signed for RB Leipzig from Dinamo Zagreb and was loaned back to the Croatian club for another season. Another option, however, was Leeds — as the player recently explained in an interview.
Gvardiol said: “I had two options, between Leeds and Leipzig. Bielsa was the coach and I don’t know if you know this, but my goal in my career is to play in the Premier League.
“I didn’t speak with Bielsa but of course he sends a few people and they came to Zagreb. I met these guys and they show me it was something like a plan how they see me in their style of football.
“I mean, when they presented it everything looked good and you could maybe see yourself there in that moment. I knew that I needed to take a few steps more before I get to the Premier League one day.”
Chelsea interest
It was not long before another move to England was suggested to the centre-back, with Chelsea making their move last August.
Gvardiol recalls their interest: “My agent called me and said that Chelsea is extremely interested and, of course, you definitely think about a serious offer from a huge club like Chelsea.
“Leipzig said they didn’t want to sell me. In the end I really struggled with that decision but we didn’t make an agreement. It is what it is. I am here and I am fine with this because my idea had been to stay here.”
One RB Leipzig player that is on his way to Stamford Bridge is Christopher Nkunku and Blues fans will be encouraged with what the Croatian has had to say about the new signing, on a number of levels.
Gvardiol said of his team-mate: “I have never seen before a player like Christoph, he is unbelievable. Every time I talk with someone about him I always say wherever he goes, I want to go with him.”
Obvious destination
Gvardiol may be keen to continue playing with Nkunku, but that may not be the case if there is no Champions League football on offer at Chelsea.
A top-four finish seems unlikely for the Blues, who are currently 10th in the table. That may also prove to be the case for Liverpool, who are currently seven points away from a Champions League spot.
Gvardiol was a Reds supporter growing up but, while that is a positive, midfield reinforcements would appear to be the top priority for Jurgen Klopp’s team this summer.
The most obvious Premier League destination for the player is Manchester City, the team he will face on Wednesday night.
Left-footed, he could replace Aymeric Laporte, who has only made seven league appearances this season.
Formally a midfielder, Gvardiol has the quality on the ball to play in a Pep Guardiola side and the defensive ability needed to make City secure again.
It may be that Citizens fans are getting a glance into their team’s future when watching their opposition’s No32 this evening.
