Chelsea are in the market for a centre-half in the summer transfer window. A number of defenders have joined the blues over the past 12 months, including Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella, yet Todd Boehly is still eager to bolster his side's backline.
While Graham Potter has a wealth of options in his defence, the west Londoners are still somewhat reliant on the ageing Thiago Silva and Cesar Azpilicueta. The latter of the pair looked poised to leave Chelsea last summer but, instead, penned a new deal.
With another exodus of defenders on the horizon, Josko Gvardiol has been identified as a target for the Blues - especially amid growing interest among rival clubs. The defender's impressive displays for Croatia at the World Cup only strengthened RB Leipzig's hand further but the German side could be forced to sell in the summer.
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With Chelsea holding an interest in the player, football.london looks at the latest on the transfer race for Gvardiol.
'Strong' Man City target
Gvardiol is a top target for Manchester City this summer, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.
"Josko Gvardiol remains among Man City top targets for the summer window — he’s really appreciated by Pep Guardiola and by the board too," Romano said. "[Man City], Chelsea and Liverpool are also in the race, nothing is decided and there’s no release clause for this summer."
Intermediary sends Boehly assurance
Boehly has been assured by an intermediary, who is said to be involved in finding Gvardiol a new club, that the defender will join Chelsea. Speaking to Calcio Mercato, 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."
Gvardiol in favour of Premier League switch
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."
Chelsea learn price
Chelsea will have to make RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol the most expensive defender in history if they are to sign the Croatia international in January, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, the Romano said: "Now, Leipzig want way more than €90million. They hope to go for more than €100million to make Gvardiol the most expensive centre-back ever. Chelsea are still working on it. They are still in contact with people close to the player and Leipzig."
2024 release clause
Chelsea's transfer pursuit of RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol has taken a significant turn following the that a significant release clause in the 20-year-old's contract will become active in 2024.
As confirmed by Sky Sports Germany reporter Florian Plettenburg following an initial report from Yvonne Gabriel, Gvardiol will see a €110million (£96million) release clause in his contract become active in 2024.
Messi influence
In Croatia's 3-0 World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, Gvardiol was the victim of an inspiring run as Lionel Messi set-up Julian Alvarez goal. However, Jurgen Klinsmann and Micah Richards have backed the Chelsea target.
Klinsmann said: "This is one of the experiences he takes with him now. Also getting his moment with Messi, OK, I will take that lesson and move on and he showed that today, he shook it off and had a brilliant game against [Morocco]. There’s a lot more to come from Gvardiol."
Richards backed fellow defender Gvardiol for his performance, highlighting Messi's quality. "Messi could do that to absolutely anyone," Richards added. "Look at the angles, you can be absolutely perfect but then Messi, his acceleration was so quick. You can’t blame him."
Huge bid made
Chelsea continue to be linked with a move for Josko Gvardiol, however they may have to move quickly to secure a deal in the transfer window. That's because Foot Mercato reports that Manchester City have tabled a €110million (£95million) bid for the left-footed defender, which would make him the most expensive player in that position in history.
The 20-year-old is said to have had offers from the Blues and Manchester United too at roughly £81million, however Pep Guardiola is looking to cut out any competition with a big bid.
Pep Guardiola talks
According to Foot Mercato, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has taken it upon himself to convince the Croatian to join his project. City, along with Manchester United, are interested in the defender and are planning to take advantage of his stock as well as their money reserves.
The report states that the champions are prepared to make him the most expensive defender ever with a bid worth over £90m, as well as the added bonus of loaning him back to Leipzig in January to sweeten the deal. City do already have a stacked central defence but were willing to let Nathan Ake leave last season.
If they truly enter the race and Guardiola sees something he fancies in Gvardiol, then it will make Chelsea's challenge much harder to complete.
Real Madrid bid
Part of the reason Chelsea were so keen to move for Gvardiol in the summer was to get ahead of their competitors, similar to how they jumped the queue for Christopher Nkunku. Now, with nothing possible until next summer, at the earliest, European champions Real Madrid have made their own intentions clear, according to Alfredo Pedulla.
The Spanish giants reportedly have £80million ready to bid for the youngster, but may need to go as high as £90million in order to prize him away from Germany.
His agent speaks out
Given that Gvardiol is now a World Cup quarter finalist - upon writing - his stock continues to rise, and his agent has issued an update on where his future lays.
"We are not in a hurry," Marjan Sisic said. "And I can make clear that there are no pre-agreements with any clubs." Chelsea have already snapped up Nkunku with a deal agreed ahead of a move next year, but nothing of the such appears to exist for Gvardiol, who Fabrizio Romano reported was set to join Chelsea last summer ahead of spending this season back on loan in Leipzig.
Release clause
Unfortunately for Chelsea, it is also believed that no release clause currently exists for Gvardiol until 2027. With their current defensive predicament, a move in the shorter term is still favoured and Potter, Boehly and Co. are unlikely to be patient enough to wait for that to kick in.
Chelsea meeting
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.
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