Tottenham Hotspur is among a list of clubs interested in signing RB Leipzig central defender Josko Gvardiol, according to reports in Germany. The Croatian 20-year-old has emerged as one of Europe’s hottest defensive talents after excelling with his eye-catching displays in the Bundesliga and World Cup. He made 65 appearances for Leipzig since joining from Dinamo Zagreb and was a key cog in Croatia’s third-place finish in Qatar.
Spurs have been strongly linked with a move to west London but a move now seems unlikely after Todd Boehly secured Benoit Badiashile from AS Monaco for £ 33.6 million. Gvardiol’s contract at the Red Bull Arena expires in 2027 meaning any potential suitor will be forced to cough up close to the £ 115 million valuation of CIES Football Observatory.
According to Bild, Spurs are among a list of clubs who want Gvardiol in the summer as Daniel Levy aims to maintain Antonio Conte as the club’s head coach.” The north Londoners are expected to bolster the Italian’s side in the January transfer window with at least two signings before the end of the month.
However, work for the summer window will be underway at Hotspur Way at overseeing further changes to the playing squad. The report from Germany suggests that Spurs could lure Gvardiol from Leipzig with an offer of around €80million-€100million (£70million-£88million).
The defender would fit the bill perfectly for Conte, who admitted after Christmas that any signings must conform to the club’s policy of signing “young players, players with not big salaries. We have to sign players, so that they can stay in our vision, in the vision of the club.” Spurs backline has faced severe criticism in recent weeks after they fell behind in 10 successive games. So Gvardiol will be a good addition.