Liverpool ‘unlikely to sign RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol’
Liverpool are unlikely to win the race for RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol this summer season, in accordance to a report.
The Croatia worldwide has shortly turn into some of the in-demand centre-backs in Europe thanks to a string of standout performances for each membership and nation up to now 12 months.
Already a daily fixture for his nationwide workforce, Gvardiol was a key cog in Croatia’s run to the bronze medal on the 2022 World Cup, scoring of their third-placed playoff win over Morocco.
The 21-year-old additionally has three objectives to his identify from 30 video games in a Leipzig shirt this time period, together with the equaliser of their 1-1 draw with Manchester City through the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie three weeks in the past.
Die Roten Bullen fought tooth and nail to hold Gvardiol on the membership amid curiosity from Chelsea final 12 months, they usually succeeded in tying him down to a brand new contract till the summer season of 2027.
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Regardless of these contemporary phrases, the Bundesliga facet are braced for quite a few bids for the Croatian defender within the upcoming window, and Liverpool – who Gvardiol not too long ago labelled his “dream membership” – have been strongly credited with an curiosity amid a potential defensive reshuffle.
Joel Matip and Nat Phillips may each be on their approach out when the season comes to an in depth, whereas Virgil van Dijk has additionally come below hearth for a decline in his performances this season.
Nonetheless, The Athletic states that whereas Gvardiol is admired by members of the Liverpool hierarchy, they don’t seem to be actively pursuing a deal for the previous Dinamo Zagreb teen.
The Reds supposedly made contact over a transfer in January, however the report provides that bolstering the midfield is extra of a precedence for Jurgen Klopp‘s facet heading into the 2023-24 season, though they might nonetheless herald one other centre-back to present further cowl.
Gvardiol’s price ticket and the competitors for his signature signifies that the Croatian is unlikely to turn into a severe summer season choice, although, as Liverpool focus their assets on Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham.
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Gvardiol is alleged to possess a £97m launch clause in his contract with Leipzig, however it is not going to turn into energetic till the tip of the 2023-24 marketing campaign.
The centre-back arrived in Germany for €18.8m (£16.6m) from Dinamo Zagreb in the summertime of 2021, and he received the DFB-Pokal in his debut season on the Purple Bull Enviornment.
Gvardiol boasts a complete of 5 objectives and 4 assists from 76 video games for Leipzig in all tournaments, and he’s anticipated to begin tonight’s Champions League last-16 second leg towards Man City on the Etihad.
The Premier League champions are additionally understood to be retaining tabs on Gvardiol’s future, whereas Chelsea and Real Madrid are additionally anticipated to battle for his providers.
Chelsea, who’ve already agreed to sign Christopher Nkunku from Leipzig this summer season, tried and failed to carry Gvardiol to England final 12 months, however the defender has since introduced his need to compete within the Premier League.
