Transfer Talk: Chelsea push for Gvardiol as suitors line up

Chelsea remain locked in negotiations with RB Leipzig for defender Josko Gvardiol, with the youngster impressing for Croatia at the World Cup.

The 20-year-old centre-back has been a rock for his country who managed to finish above Belgium in Group F to set up a last-16 tie with Japan.

Gvardiol was subject to interest and a bid from the Blues last summer, but it was swiftly rejected by Leipzig who wanted him to remain with the Bundesliga outfit for one more season.

But with his performances catching the eye in Qatar, it seems inevitable that the Zagreb-born colossus will move on, potentially as early as next month.

90min report that the West London club are optimistic that they can finalise a deal for the 15-cap international, but the fee would likely be in excess of his £45million release clause due to competition for his signature.

Graham Potter could finalise a move to acquire the Red Bulls' No32 alongside team-mate Christopher Nkunku, who looks bound for Stamford Bridge.

Gvardiol has been part of a Leipzig defence who have kept four clean sheets in the German top flight this season and sit third in the table, six points off leaders Bayern Munich.

The highly-rated defender has indicated that he would be open to a move to England but admits his agent has been handling all negotiations.

On Chelsea, he said: "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 [Mateo] Kovacic, so you never know. I talk with him."

In other news

Reports from AS suggest that Atletico Madrid would demand a fee of £85m for attacker Joao Felix, with Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Paris-Saint Germain all interested.

Hakim Ziyech is preparing for a loan move away from Chelsea, say Gazzetta dello Sport, with AC Milan keen to bring the Moroccan to the San Siro.

The Guardian report that Declan Rice has indicated his desire to leave West Ham in the summer to pursue silverware and play in the Champions League.