In-demand RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol has confirmed that he wants to play in the Premier League and was left disappointed when his proposed move to Chelsea collapsed last year.
Since arriving in the Bundesliga from Dinamo Zagreb in 2021, Gvardiol has gone from strength to strength and is now one of the most sought-after defenders in Europe.
The 21-year-old won the DFB-Pokal in his first season at Leipzig and also shone for Croatia during the 2022 World Cup, helping the Chequered Ones to the bronze medal with the opening goal against Morocco in the third-placed playoff.
Chelsea were believed to have held the strongest interest in Gvardiol last summer, but the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Manchester United were also linked with a move.
However, Leipzig refused to entertain bids for the centre-back, who subsequently committed himself to a new contract at the Red Bull Arena until the summer of 2027, and his stock has only risen further thanks to his stellar World Cup performances.
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Some of the continent's top clubs are expected to reignite their interest in Gvardiol in the summer, and the youngster has revealed that he wants to test himself in English football after rejecting a move to Leeds United in 2020.
"I had two options, between Leeds and Leipzig. [Marcelo] Bielsa was the coach and I don't know if you know this but my goal in my career is to play in the Premier League," Gvardiol told The Times.
"I didn't speak with Bielsa but of course he sends a few people and they came to Zagreb. I met these guys and they show me it was something like a plan how they see me in their style of football. I mean, when they presented it everything looked good and you could maybe see yourself there in that moment.
"I knew that I needed to take a few steps more before I get [to the Premier League] one day. At the end Leipzig is a really good club and I feel good here. It's important I play almost every game."
Gvardiol also confirmed that Chelsea were "extremely interested" in his services last summer, but having been knocked back in their pursuit, the Blues opted to sign Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly instead.
Benoit Badiashile has also joined Graham Potter's defensive ranks, and Gvardiol admitted that he "really struggled" with Leipzig's decision to reject Chelsea's interest, adding: "I was really confused because one month before the window starts I was upstairs with the sporting director and he says, 'Yeah Josko, we are not going to sell you, we need you, we believe in you'.
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"I was like 'ok I am fine with this, I can stay here, I like it here, all I need is to work on myself, to play, to win something else,' It was like this until the last two days. My agent called me and said that Chelsea is extremely interested and, of course, you definitely think about a serious offer from a huge club like Chelsea.
"Leipzig said they didn't want to sell me. In the end I really struggled with that decision but we didn't make an agreement. It is what it is. I am here and I am fine with this because my idea had been to stay here. One season was not enough. This is my second season, even one more season would be great but we will see."
However, Chelsea have already struck an agreement to sign Christopher Nkunku from Leipzig in the summer, and Gvardiol has affirmed that he "always" wants to play alongside the Frenchman in a major hint at a possible move to Stamford Bridge.
"I have never seen before a player like Christoph, he is unbelievable. Every time I talk with someone about him I always say wherever he goes I want to go with him."
Gvardiol has recorded three goals and four assists in 72 matches for RB Leipzig and is expected to start when Die Roten Bullen host Man City in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday night.
Ben Knapton
