Gvardiol wants to follow Nkunku to Chelsea

FT Desk

9 Oct 2022 05:56 CDT
3 min read

Nkunku and Gvardiol in action for RB Leipzig. — © ProShots

Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea is all but done, and Josko Gvardiol would like to follow his RB Leipzig teammate to Stamford Bridge.

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Nkunku underwent a medical with Chelsea supervision in August, and the Blues are understood to be more than willing to meet the €60 million release clause that was inserted into the Frenchman's contract when he signed a new four-year deal in June.

The Blues have also now acquired Leipzig's sporting director Christopher Vivell, and Gvardiol wants to be part of a Red Bull revolution in west London.

Chelsea are hoping to confirm the transfer of Christopher Nkunku soon 🔜 pic.twitter.com/IuQAOKM1Qk
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) October 3, 2022

"Chelsea want to sign Gvardiol next summer along with Nkunku," reports Chelsea transfer specialist Simon Phillips. "[And] they are currently speaking about both players and Gvardiol is open to the move.

He is then quoted as outlining why Tottenham Hotspur shouldn't give up their pursuit of the 20-year-old Croatia centre-back.

"That's because the Blues dropped over £100 million [€113.8m] on two centre-backs in the form of Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesley Fofana during the summer transfer window."

Are Chelsea really that well-stocked?

But Chelsea's shopping in the position needs further elucidation. The 31-year-old Koulibaly was signed from Napoli before Thomas Tuchel was replaced by Graham Potter as manager, with Fofana's arrival from Leicester more in keeping with Todd Boehly's "Vision 2030."

But 21-year-old Fofana, now the most expensive centre-back in history following his £75m (€85.4m) move, left Chelsea's recent 3-0 win over AC Milan in the Champions League on crutches.

Although the club have since confirmed he should be back "in a few weeks," this is a player he was restricted to just seven Premier League appearances last season after breaking his leg, and more manpower in his position would still be welcome at Chelsea.

Gvardiol contract at the Red Bull Arena runs until 30 June 2027, and he is currently rated at €43m by Football Transfers' in-house algorithm.

Read more about: Bundesliga, Premier League, Chelsea, RB Leipzig, Christopher Nkunku, Josko Gvardiol