Manchester United are reportedly interested in in-demand defender Josko Gvardiol, as the race for the Croatian international heats up.
According to Pete O’Rourke on Football Insider, Manchester United are interested in in-demand defender Josko Gvardiol. The 21-year-old has a tremendous following from Manchester City, Chelsea and the Red Devils.
Erik ten Hag has many squad decisions as he will look to strengthen the team next season. One of the key areas for the Dutchman to improve would be central defence, as he may not trust some of his current personnel there.
A sought-after defender would be on the agenda for ten Hag in the close season, with several targets being reportedly followed. One of them is Napoli’s star performer Kim Min-jae. The South Korean reportedly has a release clause worth £43 million, which would remain active for two weeks in July.
It us a small window to sign the Napoli star at a reasonable price. But several clubs are vying for his signature. The other evolving option for Manchester United is RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol. He also has plenty of following from the Premier League and Spain.
Gvardiol has made a name for himself with outstanding performances for Bundesliga giants RB Leipzig over the last few seasons. He also made a lasting impression with Croatia at the World Cup, leading to speculation regarding a January move. The 21-year-old defender has been patient, but a big move in the summer could be on the cards.
Chelsea are one of the front-runners for his signature, having trailed him since last summer. Leipzig could demand a significant fee for the defender, which may break the current British transfer record. Liverpool are also in the hunt, but the finances involved could rule them out completely.
Manchester United can compete with the top clubs financially. They may also benefit from playing in the Champions League next season. Liverpool and Chelsea could miss out on playing in the top European competition. Hence, it gives the Red Devils every chance to compete for Gvardiol.
The big concern for Manchester United may come from Manchester City’s reported interest in Gvardiol. Their manager, Pep Guardiola, remains keen on signing him and are ready to pay big to sign the 21-year-old Bundesliga defender.
Meanwhile, ten Hag could sell Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof if reasonable offers arrive. Some reports suggested he could look to keep the Swede in his squad. There is a vacancy for a new, formidable central defender. And someone like Gvardiol would elevate their overall quality.
