- 3 hours ago
Gvardiol drops Real Madrid hint after Chelsea links
Stuart Telford
- Updated: 23 May 2023 09:00 CDT
- 3 min read
Josko Gvardiol to Chelsea has been widely reported as all but a done deal, but after shining at the World Cup with Croatia, the RB Leipzig defender now says he is honoured to be linked to Real Madrid.
Chelsea are expected to complete a deal in the region of €80 million next year having undertaken a medical with the Frenchman in Frankfurt last summer, and Gvardiol has looked likely to follow his clubmate to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea want a left-footed centre-back - Kalidou Koulibaly is right-footed, and Marc Cucurella would rather hug a touchline - and Gvardiol has emerged as a premium player with that profile, despite his tender 20 years.
READ: Chelsea face transfer panic as Barca eye Pique replacement
Gvardiol signed a new contract with Leipzig in September, so any potential suitor would need to at least match the €55.1m he is rated at by Football Transfers' in-house algorithm. Barcelona were linked with a bid, but it is their Clasico rivals Real who currently have the spending power to steal the player from under Chelsea's noses.
💭 Did you know... no player under the age of 2️⃣1️⃣ has played more minutes in the #Bundesliga than Josko #Gvardiol. 📈 👏 pic.twitter.com/n8bu9s6XK3
— Bundesliga English (@Bundesliga_EN) February 5, 2022
"Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world, so who knows," Gvardiol said in quotes picked up by Relevo. "Maybe one day I can play there. I'd like to, yes.
Modric praise unnecessary
"[Luka] Modric doesn't have to tell me anything about Real Madrid, there's no need. I already know everything. I know it's the biggest club in the world and how important it is to be linked to a team like that."
READ: Gvardiol admits he could sign for Chelsea 'one day'
Gvardiol would also have an international teammate at club level if he joined Chelsea, with former Real midfielder Mateo Kovacic now plying his trade in west London, and he told the Athletic he was flattered by their interest too.
"It's a big club of course and, who knows, maybe one day I will be there," he said. "It's really nice to see things like this, especially because there is Kovacic, so you never know. I talk with him."
