Chelsea have reignited their interest in RB Leipzig centre back Josko Gvardiol after a failed attempt to sign the Croatian last summer. Last summer, CFC were in advanced talks with Leipzig for Gvardiol but in the end the move did not materialize and Chelsea ended up signing Wesley Fofana.
The Blues will go in the summer transfer window, searching for a powerful and potent striker but they are also paying attention to other targets who could be available in the summer and could be lured to Stamford Bridge.
Gvardiol signed a new contract with Leipzig that keeps him at the club till 2027 but has a release clause of £97 million that will become active in 2024. According to The Times, CFC are keen on the 21 year old but will have to make a move this summer to avoid paying the hefty release clause in the summer of 2024.
Chelsea want to sign Josko Gvardiol in the summer
Gvardiol has been on Chelsea’s radar since he was 17 and CFC are now ramping up their pursuit to land the centre back. The Croatian was one of the stars of the Croatia national team that secured the third place at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
He has been described as a ‘very special’ player and is one of the best young centre backs in the world right now. The 21 year old’s market value and popularity has soared over the last couple of years and Europe’s biggest fishes are circling around the defender.
On paper, Chelsea have enough central defence options. Thiago Silva is still going strong despite his age. In fact, the Brazilian has been one of the most consistent players for the Blues this season. Kalidou Koulibaly was signed last summer and has struggled to settle in London but is slowly taking steps towards improvement and should be the leading figure in the backline for next few weeks as Silva recovers from a knee injury.
CFC signed Fofana in the summer and also acquired Benoit Badiashile in the January transfer window. The centre back duo is young, smart and have shown tremendous potential in the time they have been on the pitch for the Blues. Badiashile has been superb and adapted very quickly, meanwhile, Fofana has had a troubled time with injury but following his return, the Frenchman looks rock solid as ever.
Chelsea also have Trevoh Chalobah in their ranks and Levi Colwill who is out on loan at Brighton. At the moment, Chelsea have the right blend of youthful exuberance and veteran experience in Silva, Fofana, Koulibaly, Badiashile and Chalobah. Colwill will return after the season’s end and will have a shot at proving his worth in the first team.
Signing Gvardiol will definitely give Chelsea a chance to field one of the most promising young centre backs but at this point CFC are well stacked in that department. Perhaps, Chelsea are already planning for life after Silva, who recently signed a deal till summer of 2024.
If the Blues do manage to sign Gvardiol, the likes of Chalobah and Colwill will be sent out on loan for a season to aid their development.
Should Chelsea sign Josko Gvardiol?