Chelsea will have to make RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol the most expensive defender in history if they are to sign the Croatia international in January, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
The 20-year-old, who turns 21 next month, had been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge prior to the World Cup, however, his stock has appreciated in value after a handful of excellent displays in Qatar with Croatia finishing third.
Gvardiol played every single minute of Zlatko Dalic's side's campaign, scoring the opener in Croatia's 2-1 victory over Morocco in the third-place play-off after being blown away by eventual winners Argentina in the semi-finals.
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Now, the Blues' desperation to secure the Croatian's signature has undoubtedly increased with Leipzig holding out for a significant transfer fee.
With clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham all believed to also hold an interest in the 20-year-old, Graham Potter's side will have to act quickly with Romano stating it will take a record fee to secure the defender's services.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, the transfers expert said: "Now, Leipzig want way more than €90million. They hope to go for more than €100million to make Gvardiol the most expensive centre-back ever.
“Chelsea are still working on it. They are still in contact with people close to the player and Leipzig.”
Since being appointed as head coach in September, Potter has alternated between systems incorporating a back-three and a back-four with an array of different combinations regarding personnel with the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva, Marc Cucurella and Cesar Azpilicueta given run outs as centre-backs.
However, for what looks set to be a record fee for a defender, beating the £80million paid by Manchester United to Leicester City for Harry Maguire in 2019, the Chelsea hierarchy will surely expect Potter to see Gvardiol as first choice if they are to give the green light for the Croatian's transfer.
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