-
Josko Gvardiol reacts to Chelsea interest.
Josko Gvardiol has left the door open to a future transfer to Chelsea, claiming he “may play there one day.”
According to reports, Chelsea and Gvardiol’s club, RB Leipzig, are still in talks. Chelsea is confident that a deal can be reached to transfer the centre-back to Stamford Bridge to join fellow teammate Christopher Nkunku, whose relocation to London is almost complete.
Speaking after helping Croatia defeat Belgium to go to the World Cup knockout rounds, Gvardiol acknowledged he was interested in working with Mateo Kovacic at Chelsea.
“About me and Chelsea? I don’t know. You know what happened in the last few months. To be honest, I have no idea,” he told The Athletic.
RELATED:
- Hansi Flick reacts to pressure to resign after Germany’s World Cup exit.
- Roberto Martinez announces his departure from the Belgian national team.
- Thomas Muller hints at international retirement following World Cup elimination.
“My agent is taking care of this and we will see. Right now, I’m happy in Leipzig. I don’t know, we will see – you never know. You know the stories and these things, but all I can say is that I’m happy in Leipzig and right now I’m going to stay there and perform for them.”
Gvardiol added: “It’s a big club of course and, who knows, maybe one day I will be there. It’s really nice to see things like this, especially because there is Kovacic, so you never know. I talk with him.
“Even to be here on this, the biggest event, it’s a big thing for me at 20 years old so I’m happy. I have to think about it.”
Chelsea has expressed a willingness to pay more than Gvardiol’s release clause of £45 million, which will go into effect in the summer, in order to spread out the cost over several years and free up money to pursue other targets, such as Nkunku.
Nkunku is anticipated to join Chelsea after the end of the current season; only a few minor details need to be worked out.