The finish line is still a mere dot on the horizon, but Tottenham Hotspur may already be out of the race for Josko Gvardiol’s signature before even leaving the starting blocks.
On the back of an outstanding World Cup campaign (has there been a finer centre-half in Qatar?) a spike of interest in RB Leipzig’s Croatian colossus was as inevitable as a half-baked twist in a Shyamalan flick.
Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic described his masked maestro as the ‘best defender in the world’ after Gvardiol saved the 2018 runners-up from almost-certain defeat against Belgium in the group-stage; stealing the ball off Romelu Lukaku’s toes with the goal at his mercy.
Since then, Gvardiol has gone from strength-to-strength; outstanding against both Japan and Brazil as Croatia stormed into the semi-finals.
Welcome to world-class, Josko. We’ve been expecting you.
“He’s been solid. He’s got it all,” former England international Jermaine Jenas told the BBC; suitably impressed by a defender who, at the age of just 20, already appears to have the physical prowess of a Virgil van Dijk and the ball-carrying ability of an Antonio Rudiger.
“When he comes out with the ball, he has the ability to go past people and drive into midfield. (He) hits good passes, defends properly. He’s been brilliant. 20 years old; different class.”
Chelsea, Manchester City and Man United make bids for Josko Gvardiol
But if the rumours are true, and that the bidding for Gvardiol is starting at over £80 million, any hopes Tottenham had of luring the one-time Leeds United target to North London may have already gone up in smoke. Almost three weeks before the window even opens.
According to FootMercato, Chelsea and Manchester United have now submitted bids in the region of £81 million. Manchester City, meanwhile, have slammed an £86 million offer (100 million euros) down onto Leipzig’s coffee table.
The prospect of a bidding war between three of the most deep-pocketed clubs in European football, meanwhile, threatens to make Gvardiol the most expensive centre-half in the history of the game. The first £100 million centre-half, perhaps.
And that’s without mentioning Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Real Madrid; three more clubs with Gvardiol on the radar.
Less than a month ago, just a few days before Gvardiol’s breakout display during that tense 0-0 draw with Belgium, Tuttomercatoweb reported that Ivan Perisic was trying to convince his fellow Croatian to join him at Tottenham.
One suspects that Perisic is experienced enough, however, to know when he’s fighting a losing battle.
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