Transfer Talk: In-demand Gvardiol eager for Premier League switch

Chelsea and Liverpool target Josko Gvardiol has his sights set on a move to the Premier League.

The 21-year-old centre-back is one of Europe’s most in-demand defenders after excelling for Croatia at last year’s World Cup alongside his strong form in the Bundesliga.

Gvardiol was linked with a transfer to Chelsea last summer and the RB Leipzig ace has revealed just how close he was to moving to Stamford Bridge.

After outlining his English top-flight ambitions, he told The Times: "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."

And Gvardiol’s comments about Leipzig team-mate Christopher Nkunku, who is poised to join the Blues at the end of the season, are bound to get tongues wagging further.

He added: "Every time I talk with someone about him I always say wherever he goes I want to go with him."

The free-spending West Londoners are expected to re-kindle their interest in the summer, while Gvardiol has previously named Anfield as his dream destination.

Liverpool are likely to be in the market for a new defender as Jurgen Klopp plots a summer rebuild of his squad and the Zagreb native is said to be high up his wish list.

In other news

Reports in Spain suggest Bayern Munich have joined Paris Saint-Germain in the race for Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, 29.

Barcelona are keeping tabs on Manchester City midfielder Rodri and are prepared to offer £80million for the 26-year-old, according to Football Insider.

The same outlet believe Newcastle want to bring out-of-favour Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney to St James’ Park.