Graham Potter has been reassured by an intermediary, who is said to be involved in finding Josko Gvardiol a new club, that the defender will join Chelsea. The 20-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer but a move collapsed after he penned a new five-year deal with the German giants.
The Blues hold an interest in Gvardiol, though Leipzig do not want to sell the defender, football.london understands. However, after impressing for Croatia at the World Cup, interest has grown in the RB Leipzig starlet so retaining the centre-back's services could prove to be a difficult task, with a number of European clubs eyeing a move in January.
One of whom is believed to be Real Madrid. According to Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla, the Spanish giants have recently held two meetings with the German outfit and are ready to pay €120million (£106million) including bonuses for Gvardiol's signature.
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The report states that Chelsea were in fact the first club to submit an official bid for the Croatian, with an offer in the region of €80million (£70.5million). Pedulla adds that Manchester City flexed their muscles and out bid the Blues with a a €90million (£79.5million) bid - but both of the Premier League clubs' proposals were rejected.
It's said that Gvardiol is 'inclined' to join Real Madrid and accept a lower annual wage. Pedulla states that Real Madrid told the youngster he would earn €6million (£5.3million) plus bonuses a season, which is 'significantly less' than the €9million (£7.9million) offered by Chelsea.
However, while the west Londoners may look down and out following the arrival of Benoit Badiashile earlier this month, Todd Boehly has been reassured that Gvardiol will end up in west London. Speaking to Calcio Mercato, intermediary Vincenzo Cavaliere said: "In my opinion, yes [Gvardiol is worth €100million (£88.2million).
"A player’s valuation is directly proportional to how much a club is willing to pay for him, and with the prices at which certain players get away, I’d say yes. Gvardiol is 20 years old, he’s a regular in a big club like Leipzig and in the Croatian national team, third in the world. I think he eventually goes to Chelsea."
In May, a report from Croatia said that Gvardiol's father flew to London to discuss a possible move to Chelsea with then boss Thomas Tuchel. He was reportedly eyed as a perfect replacement for Antonio Rudiger on the left of a back-three.
And, the Leipzig star has spoken on the Blues' pursuit. As quoted by Goal, Gvardiol told Danas: "They [Chelsea] did not give up.
"But it was agreed that we would go for the winter. Winter has come, so we need to see what and how to proceed, but it's okay, there's still plenty of time, we'll see.
"Since I was a child, I always gravitated towards the English league. We all know what kind of league it is. I don't know if I'm mature enough and ready for that league. We will see, when I feel that this is the moment, that I have crossed a certain level and reached the border in Germany, then I will look further ."
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