RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol has revealed he is expecting Chelsea to return with an offer for him before the end of the January transfer window, although is in no rush to leave before summer.
Chelsea failed with a £77m bid during the summer, with Gvardiol then extending his Leipzig contract by a year until 2027. But he spoke about ‘seeing what happens in winter’ as soon as September.
Since then, the young defender, who will turn 21 later this month, has continued to impress with Leipzig and also enjoyed a barnstorming World Cup at which he helped Croatia finish third.
But with January here, the subject of his next move has come back around. In addition to Chelsea, 90min understands that Real Madrid and Manchester City have also spoken with Leipzig. Liverpool, Manchester United and Tottenham have all expressed interest too.
However, Chelsea were further down the road in terms of negotiations than anyone else and Gvardiol appreciates just how keen the Blues are, although the difficulties in striking a deal pushed them towards a €38m move for Benoit Badiashile instead.
Chelsea hope their willingness to seal a deal now could benefit them ahead of competitors who may be looking more to the summer, although even a move to Stamford Bridge is more likely in summer – potentially on similar terms to the club’s pre-arranged Christopher Nkunku deal.
Discussing the saga himself with Croatian outlet Danas, Gvardiol said. “[Chelsea] did not give up, but it was agreed that we would go for the winter. Winter has come, so we need to see what and how to proceed, but it's okay, there's still plenty of time, we'll see.
“Manchester City or Chelsea? I do not know. Nobody presented anything to me. No idea as far as I'm concerned. But I'm not in a hurry, we have time, let them arrange the plan and we'll see.”
Overall, his preference appears to be the Premier League.
“Since I was a child, I always gravitated towards the English league,” he said. “We all know what kind of league it is. I don't know if I'm mature enough and ready for that. We will see, when I feel that this is the moment, that I have reached a certain level in Germany, then I will look further.”
Listen now as Scott Saunders hosts Graeme Bailey and Toby Cudworth in the latest episode of Talking Transfers. This week they discuss Man Utd’s interest in Mohammed Kudus, Enzo Fernandez and Chelsea, Jude Bellingham's decision and Mykhaylo Mudryk's preferred move. Available on all audio platforms.
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Overall, Gvardiol admits he would be happy to stay with Leipzig until the end of the season.
“I'm not in a hurry, I'm in Leipzig, we still have six months to finish the season properly and to win something. And then we will look further to the future,” he said.
“I am convinced of [their belief in me] because this summer the transfer was close and they simply kept me. We talked and they told me how much I mean to them, how much I mean to my teammates and the club, and I was glad to hear that. I hope to spend these six months with them.”
Source : 90min