Former Premier League hitman Nikica Jelavic has encouraged Josko Gvardiol to join Leeds United this summer.
The Premier League new boys are in the market for another centre-back after failing to sign Ben White on a permanent basis.
And Gvardiol, who can also play left-back, is heavily linked with a move to Elland Road.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed last week that Leeds and Dinamo Zagreb would ‘soon’ reach an £18 million agreement for the 18-year-old.
And his fellow Croat Jelavic, who managed 114 Premier League appearances during spells with Everton, Hull City and West Ham United, believes that Gvardiol to West Yorkshire is a ‘huge step’ forward in his burgeoning career.
He told Sportske Novosti: “It is difficult to say whether Gvardiol’s departure to Leeds would be a good move. Namely, it all depends on the player. Someone matures later, someone earlier.
“However, my personal opinion is that Guardiola’s departure to Leeds would be a huge step forward! By going to Leeds the young defender will lose absolutely nothing. He can only get better in the Premier League. If a club like Leeds values you so much and pays that amount, then it’s clear they believe in you.”
Yes, £18 million is a massive amount of money for a teenager, but if Leeds do stump up that sort of cash then he wouldn’t be coming in as a youth player.
If this materialises, the Whites will be signing him to go straight into Marcelo Bielsa’s senior squad, despite his lack of experience.
Bielsa already has Liam Cooper and Robin Koch as senior centre-back options, so there would be less pressure on Gvardiol than there would be if, say, he had to play every single game.
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