Tottenham Hotspur want RB Leipzig central defender Josko Gvardiol, according to reports in Germany.
Gvardiol, 20, has emerged as one of Europe's hottest defensive talents with his eye-catching displays in the Bundesliga and the World Cup. The Croatian has made 65 appearances for Leipzig since joining from Dinamo Zagreb and was a key cog in his nation's third-place finish in Qatar.
The 6ft 1ins centre-back had been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea but a move to west London now seems unlikely after Todd Boehly secured Benoit Badiashile from AS Monaco for £33.6million. Gvardiol's contract at the Red Bull Arena expires in 2027 meaning any potential suitor will be forced to cough up close to the £115million valuation of CIES Football Observatory.
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According to Bild, Spurs are among a list of clubs who want Gvardiol in the summer as Daniel Levy aims to maintain Antonio Conte as the club's head coach. The north Londoners are expected to bolster the Italian's side in the January transfer window with at least two signings before the end of the month.
football.london understands that they are looking to add a new attacker and right wing-back to Conte's squad in a bid to secure a top four finish. However, work for the summer window will be underway at Hotspur Way at overseeing further changes to the playing squad.
The report from Germany suggests that Spurs could lure Gvardiol from Leipzig with an offer of around €80million-€100million (£70million-£88million). The defender would fit the bill perfectly for Conte, who admitted after Christmas that any signings must confirm to the club's policy of signing "young players, players with not big salaries. We have to sign players, that they can stay in our vision, in the vision of the club."
Spurs' backline has faced severe criticism in recent weeks after they fell behind in 10 successive games, a horrid stat for a defensively-driven coach like Conte. Clement Lenglet's loan move from Barcelona will expire in the summer leaving the club a defender short for next season and Gvardiol could be the perfect fit.
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