Real Madrid and Chelsea need to stump up €100 million to sign Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Real Madrid and Chelsea know how much they will need to pay to sign Josko Gvardiol. RB Leipzig will demand €100 million to part ways with the Croatian defender next year.
Josko Gvardiol has become one of the most highly sought-after defenders on the back of a solid stint thus far with RB Leipzig. The 20-year-old joined the Bundesliga club from Dinamo Zagreb last year. And after a solid debut season at the Red Bull Arena, high-profile clubs tailed him in the summer.
But Leipzig held onto the Croat, who has turned out 19 times while chipping in with one goal this term. Gvardiol was also one of the best defenders at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, leading Croatia to the semi-finals. At the same time, the player’s progress has captured the attention of bigwigs like Chelsea and Real Madrid.
Real Madrid might have to scour the market for a replacement for Nacho. The Spaniard has yet to commit his future to Los Blancos. And Gvardiol has emerged as a viable target for Real Madrid in the last few weeks. In addition, the 20-year-old can also be a solution as a left-back amid uncertainties surrounding Ferland Mendy.
On the other hand, Chelsea will enter the market for a centre-back amid the advancing age of Thiago Silva. In addition, Kalidou Koulibaly is on the wrong side of 30 and has struggled to make his mark at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have thus identified Gvardiol as a long-term central defensive solution.
Real Madrid and Chelsea now know how much they will need to cough up to sign the Croatian international. RB Leipzig will demand around €100 million to part ways with the in-demand defender. And the valuation determined by the Bundesliga giants might be a stumbling block for his suitors.
Real Madrid and Chelsea can theoretically afford to pay €100 million to sign Gvardiol. But the Merengues are in the market for a midfield reinforcement that will be expensive. On the other hand, the Blues will continue to overhaul the first-team squad. So it is unclear if Real Madrid or Chelsea will be open to shelling out €100 million or look to negotiate the asking price.
