Dean Jones has told Give Me Sport that Leeds United could sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol – in a move that would see the Croatian reunite with Jesse Marsch. Tottenham, though, are also interested in Gvardiol.
Gvardiol, 20, joined Leipzig last summer and has since impressed for the Bundesliga side – clocking up 42 appearances in all competitions. In that time, he has played left-back and centre-back, having a hand in five goals.
Leeds fans might remember his name, having been linked with a move for the defender in 2020 – when he was at Dinamo Zagreb. But The Mail report that he turned down a move, also stating Tottenham want the £50m player.
Marsch worked with Gvardiol for the first part of the season before the American was sacked in Germany. Now, Jones thinks – having spoken to sources – he could end up joining Leeds, with the Whites showing ambition.
“I thought it was too ambitious. The more I speak to people, the more I start to realise Leeds believe this is where they should be shopping. These are the players that they believe they can get. I’m certainly not going to rule it out.”
Jones on Gvardiol: Could Leeds really sign £50m defender?
Perhaps the bigger question is, do they really need Gvardiol? Of all of the positions Leeds need to improve this summer, centre-back is not one. They have two, top left-sided centre-backs in Liam Cooper, and Pascal Struijk.
On the right, they have Diego Llorente and Robin Koch. Charlie Cresswell is an exceptional talent and he is now considered a first-team player – according to Marsch himself. Other positions that need strengthening, first.
Cover for Luke Ayling, solving the left-back issue, another midfielder, a creative midfielder, a replacement for Raphinha and competition for Patrick Bamford. A centre-back is way down the list.
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