Chelsea renewed its curiosity in contracting with Josko Gvardiol from Leipzig in the course of the summer time switch window, in response to what was reported. times.

And the paper claims the Blues should act this yr to keep away from paying a £97m launch clause for the Croatia worldwide – who signed a brand new contract with the Bundesliga facet in December that runs till 2027.

West London needed to signal Guardiol final summer time however Leipzig had been unwilling to promote one among Germany’s rising younger defenders. Nonetheless, Chelsea are able to revive their quest and are eager to signal the defender on the finish of the season.

Graham Potter is trying to bolster their defensive choices and has set his sights on Gvardiol – who has been on the membership’s radar for the reason that age of 17.

Wilsey Fofana returned to full coaching final week after a number of months on the sidelines following his harm final yr. Fofana, who joined the Blues from Leicester Metropolis final summer time, has made simply eight appearances and scored one aim in all competitions since transferring to west London.

Chelsea additionally employed Senegalese worldwide Kalidou Coulibaly final summer time, adopted by signing Benoit Badiachel from Monaco within the January switch window.

Regardless of spending large cash on three centre-backs within the final eight months, Chelsea nonetheless need Jvardiol to shore up a protection that has conceded 25 objectives in 24 league video games.

Strengthen

In keeping with the paper, Chelsea had been in talks for a reported £70m for Gvardiol however the Premier League membership felt the asking value was too excessive, nonetheless, they anticipated to spend large to influence Leipzig to promote this summer time.

in response to instancesPotter’s facet will face stiff competitors for Gvardiol’s signature from rivals Tottenham and Manchester Metropolis – who’re additionally monitoring the state of affairs despite the fact that the Blues are main the race to signal him.

The 20-year-old has been acknowledged as the most effective younger defenders within the Bundesliga since his transfer to the Pink Bull Enviornment from Dinamo Zagreb in 2020. Final season, he made 46 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice, and netting two objectives. 4 assists for Leipzig.

This season, he participated in 28 matches and scored two objectives with Leipzig in all competitions, as he ranks fourth within the German League desk with 42 factors, solely 4 factors behind leaders Bayern Munich.

Guardiol’s inventory rose in the course of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the place he shone in protection to assist Croatia occupy third place after its 2-1 victory over Morocco. He was instrumental in his nation’s nationwide workforce conceding simply three objectives of their first 5 matches within the match earlier than shedding 3-0 to Argentina within the semi-finals.

Learn extra: Report: Chelsea might signal Victor Osimhen’s substitute for simply £40m