Journalist Fabrizio Romano has possibly handed Tottenham Hotspur a big transfer boost in their hopes of signing defender Josko Gvardiol in the future.
Over the summer, Spurs were linked with the talented centre-back who currently plays for RB Leipzig, but no deal was completed amid competition from other Premier League clubs.
Most notably, Chelsea were also in for Gvardiol and there have been some claims that he is open to a January transfer, with reports saying the Blues want to bring him to Stamford Bridge alongside teammate Christopher Nkunku, who has signed a pre-contract agreement (via The Telegraph).
However, while speaking on House of Champions: A Daily CBS Soccer Podcast, Romano has claimed that there is no agreement with Leipzig over a sale and hinted Spurs are still in the mix.
He explained: “He was on the list at Manchester City, he was on the list at Tottenham, but he was too expensive. And so this is why Man City and Tottenham decided to wait and not to make any bid.
“Chelsea decided to go for a different strategy, because Chelsea, before the end of the market, they tried to sign Josko Gvardiol for summer 2023 – so to sign him immediately and then to let him stay one season on loan to Leipzig.
“This was the plan, they made a proposal. It was a proposal around €80m, this is a very big proposal. But Leipzig decided to wait, to extend his contract and to turn down the proposal. So no agreement between Chelsea and Leipzig.
“I see some rumours around saying that it will happen like Nkunku, that there is an agreement in place between Chelsea and Leipzig. From what I’m told, as of now there is still no agreement between Chelsea and Leipzig on Gvardiol.
“The race is still open.”
TIF Thoughts on Josko Gvardiol and Spurs…
Evidently, Gvardiol is far from being a Chelsea player just yet, so that has left the door open for Spurs to make a move on the player who they’ve had an eye on for some time now.
Of course, as Romano mentions, money may be an issue – the Blues reportedly failed with a £77m bid to land the defender in the summer – but if Daniel Levy is serious about backing Antonio Conte, he may be willing to splash the cash.
After all, the Evening Standard has reported that the Italian will be backed this winter, so this could be the perfect chance to prove it with Gvardiol’s future still up for grabs.
Will Spurs try and sign Josko Gvardiol this winter?
Yes
No
