Speaking recently on the All Leeds TV YouTube channel, Beren Cross discussed Leeds United’s potential incoming and outgoing transfers this summer, and in particular, the club’s reported interest in Dinamo Zagreb centre-back Josko Gvardiol.
A product of the Zagreb youth setup, 18-year-old Gvardiol has made just 13 first-team appearances for the Croatian side thus far, over which he has scored one goal.
However, despite this lack of experience, there have been quite strong rumours circulating which claim that Leeds are close to agreeing an £18 million deal for the defender.
Although, according to Croatian publication Sportske Novosti, RB Leipzig could threaten Marcelo Bielsa’s move for the teenager, as they are offering a similar fee to the Premier League side, while also offering Zagreb the possibility of keeping hold of the defender on loan.
Speaking about the potential deal on the All Leeds TV YouTube channel, Cross gave his thoughts on the club’s reported interest in Gvardiol.
He said: “The last noises we heard were from Gianluca Di Marzio – who is fairly close with [Andrea] Radrizzani, I understand – and he tweeted on Friday and he said that one was getting a little bit further down the track.
“I mean, there’s talk of £20 million, which, before [Leeds’ signing of] Rodrigo, would have broken Rio’s [Ferdinand] transfer record, and we’re talking about this guy being cover for Liam Cooper, so, we are fishing in different waters now.
“He sounds like a left-footed centre half/left-back, so it’s another option at left-back, although I don’t know if he’s quite got the dynamism for that role; you need to be bombing up and down that flank. He does seem a bit more of a solid centre-half.
“I don’t believe that’s any more moved on than [Rodrigo] De Paul, but it certainly sounds more plausible, and there’s certainly been more noise on Gvardiol than there has been on De Paul in the last few days.”
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TIF Thoughts…
From Cross’ comments, it would appear that the journalist believes the deal for Gvardiol seems like it could very much happen and that the deal even looks more likely than the club’s reported move for Udinese midfielder Rodrigo de Paul.
For now, we will have to wait and see whether or not the club’s interest in the £5.4 million-rated defender turns into something more concrete, but this certainly appears a deal to keep an eye on as the transfer window progresses.