If Chelsea are to miss out on Josko Gvardiol, which is a deal that has gone from being a surprising one horse race to the early frontrunners now trying to keep up, then their need for a new centre-back only increases.
Despite signing Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana over the summer, Thiago Silva is 38 and yet to commit to another year despite being the best in his position at the club and Cesar Azpilicueta has been struggling for over a year now and may well leave before 2024.
Although Trevoh Chalobah has been impressive once more and signed a new long-term deal just months after nearly leaving and Levi Colwill will be waiting in the wings after his loan from Brighton, Chelsea's wayward transfer planning has left them chasing their tail around the back once again.
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Gvardiol may have been a very good long-term answer after initial agreements were in place to sign him in the summer but loan him back to RB Leipzig but shortly after he signed a new deal with the Bundesliga club until 2027.
The issue hasn't gone away, and if you hadn't heard of him six months ago you almost certainly will have now. The 20-year-old has been one of the best defenders at the World Cup and a standout player for the tournament in a Croatia side that have only conceded three goals all tournament despite going to extra-time twice.
This has unsurprisingly raised the awareness of Real Madrid and other suitors, including Manchester United and Manchester City. Having come from nowhere to get ahead of the competition in the summer, Chelsea have now been left behind. According to FootMercato, Pep Guardiola has spoken to the defender to try and convince him to join City, whilst a world record offer is also possible.
If Gvardiol does choose to move and Stamford Bridge isn't the destination, the centre-back can can't be kicked down the road any further. Options will be needed and one may be a previous target, also from the summer.
Having been linked with Matthijs de Ligt, Jules Kounde and Presnel Kimpembe too, the Blues were ready to go big for their new defensive rock. Another player on the list was Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar. The 27-year-old has been a pillar of the defence and a long-term target for Chelsea dating back to Antonio Conte's time at SW6, and they shouldn't be counted out of the running yet.
Skriniar is out of contract at the end of the season but has been engaging in negotiations to remain at San Siro since the summer. He is also a target for several other clubs though, but Chelsea may have to reignite their interest if Gvardiol isn't possible.
Writing for CaughtOffside, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano gave an update on the Slovakian. “Despite what you may have read elsewhere, Milan Skriniar is not in negotiations to join Newcastle as of now,” Romano said.
“Chelsea were considering him last summer, PSG have always been leading the race, but Inter are still pushing to extend his contract. A new deal and the captain’s armband have been offered – it’s now up to Skriniar; he has to decide.”
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