Chelsea have been warned that they will 'kick themselves' if they do not win the race to sign RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol. The 20-year-old defender was heavily linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in the summer but a move collapsed after he decided to pen a new five-year deal at the Red Bull Arena.
The Blues still hold an interest in Gvardiol but the German giants do not want to sell the defender, football.london understands. But, after playing a key role in Croatia reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup, retaining the centre-back's services could be a difficult task with a number of Premier League clubs plotting a move in January.
Gvardiol, who was reportedly eyed as a perfect replacement for Antonio Rudiger, started in each of his nation's fixtures in Qatar and only Lionel Messi was able to shake off the defender. Eager to wrap up a deal for the wonderkid before the winter window opens up, Manchester City are looking to 'short-circuit' fellow suitors, according to Foot Mercato.
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The report states that Pep Guardiola's side have outbid both Chelsea and Manchester United with an offer in the region of £86million. It's said that the Blues and the Red Devils have tabled bids up to £81.8million.
With a bidding a war brewing, Glen Johnson has told the Blues that they will rue not taking action earlier. Gvardiol's father flew to London to discuss a possible move to Stamford Bridge, according to a report from Croatia in May.
Speaking to GGRecon, the former Chelsea defender said: "They could have signed him under the radar last summer and now he’s performing brilliantly at the World Cup, with the eyes of everyone on him.
"By Chelsea not getting the deal done, his performances will have woken up a lot of other clubs who didn’t realise just how good he was. I definitely believe that Chelsea will be kicking themselves and they’re going to have a much harder task of signing him now."
Chelsea are, evidently, in the market for a new centre-half in the upcoming transfer windows after both Rudiger and Andreas Christensen left in he summer. While Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella was drafted in, Cesar Azpilicueta sees his deal expire in 18 months and Thiago Silva is currently set to leave at the end of the season.
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