Chelsea have been handed a fresh stance on the transfer situation surrounding promising RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol. The Croatia international was linked with a move to the Blues last summer as well as a potential switch this January.
His stock was already high, having been a young centre-back playing at a high level with a dominant left foot, however this was only taken a step further with his impressive performances at the World Cup, where the 20-year-old helped guide his nation to a third-place finish in the tournament.
However, that may have added further difficulties over securing a move, with a report from the Athletic stating that his value was held as high as £79million in recent discussions. The Blues may be further perturbed from securing a move, having now signed young defender Benoit Badiashile from AS Monaco.
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Things can move quickly in football and especially in the transfer market, however, with teams likely to jump at any opportunity to land such a promising youngster. However, any hope of doing so may have been dashed by RB Leipzig chief Max Eberl in a recent interview with Sky Germany.
He told reporters: "Thanks to the contract extension with Josko, we are in control — the club has done an outstanding job. Football has gone crazy, but our interest is zero that we want to sell Josko Gvardiol in the summer."
It remains to be seen if the Blues will go out of their way to test the resolve of the German club in the coming weeks, though a deal at this stage appears unlikely.
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