CHELSEA, Manchester City and Liverpool all want to sign Josko Gvardiol, according to reports.
The RB Leipzig centre-back is one of the most sought-after players in Europe after impressing at the World Cup with Croatia.
The Daily Mail claim that Man City are leading the race to land the 21-year-old.
Pep Guardiola’s side reportedly view Gvardiol as a priority signing this summer.
The player has a £98million release clause that will begin from 2024 with RB Leipzig hoping he stays.
Gvardiol joined the Bundesliga outfit in 2020 from homeland club Dinamo Zagreb for a fee of £14m and he has since helped them win the DFP Pokal last season.
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City want to bring in a new defender as Guardiola has been forced into regular changes at the back this season and could sell Aymeric Laporte.
The Spaniard, Ruben Dias and John Stones have all had lengthy spells out injured, while Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake have stepped in.
Chelsea have already spent an eye-watering £138m on centre-backs Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Benoit Badiashile this season.
But with Thiago Silva aged 38, Gvardiol is seen as a potential long-term replacement.
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Chelsea also have strong links to RB Leipzig, with them hoping to sign his team-mate Christopher Nkunku and the Blues’ technical director is Christopher Vivell, who they pinched from the Germans.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are also interested in Gvardiol but rumours suggest they could be put off by the fee.
Jurgen Klopp’s priority is revamping his midfield.
They have been linked with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Mason Mount.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
