Chelsea have been heavily linked with a move for Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol. Here we round up everything you should know about the Blues' interest in the centre-back.
Chelsea links
Gvardiol has been linked with a move to Chelsea since the summer. He was reportedly one of Thomas Tuchel's targets to reinforce the centre-back department.
In August, the Blues even offered €90m and a season-long loan back to Leipzig, if Fabrizio Romano's information is true. But the German side rejected this proposal. On September 1, he signed a new long-term deal with Leipzig.
Chelsea have persisted with their interest in the Croatian though. They reportedly continue workig on landing the 20-year-old but there is no agreement with him or Leipzig at the moment.
Rivals
Chelsea are not the only club interested in signing Gvardiol. Man City, Barcelona and Real Madrid are all said to be keen on the 20-year-old.
Release clause
It was reported that the Croatian has a £43.6m (€50m) release clause. However, it has since emerged that the clause is not active until 2027 so the Blues will have to negotiate directly with Leipzig.
Chelsea's plan
One way of securing Gvardiol's signature could be negotiating with Leipzig closer to the next summer. This way, Chelsea would have to beat other interested sides for his signature.
However, the Blues' strategy is reportedly to wrap up the deal early, paying 'over the odds' for Gvardiol. According to journalist Graeme Bailey, Chelsea could splash €70m on the defender and agree his transfer in advance to avoid competition with other clubs.
Quotes
Josko has hinted at a possible move to the Bridge.
"Chelsea is a big club, maybe one day I will be there," Gvardiol told The Athletic earlier this month.
"My agent is taking care of my future, I’m happy in Leipzig now. It’s nice to see the links, especially because there is Kovacic. So… you never know!"
However, he has also speculated about a potential transfer to Real Madrid.
"Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world. Who knows, maybe one day I'll be able to play there. I'd like it", he told Relevo.
"Modric doesn't have to tell me anything, not needed - I know how special is to be linked with Real Madrid."
Here is what Gvardiol's agent Marjan Sisic told Sky Germany: "We are not in a hurry for a transfer, there are no pre-agreements with any club.
"Top clubs are informed about him but Josko has a long-term contract in Leipzig and he's happy there."
Mateo Kovacic confirmed Chelsea's interest in the centre-back in September.
“At the club, they asked me about Josko, I told them all the best,” Kovacic told The Athletic.
“I don’t need to say anything about his football, they know what kind of player he is, and his character is excellent.
“I have seen in the national team how eager Gvardiol is to play, he has a great career ahead of him, and I hope that one day we will play together in the club.”
