Liverpool still keen on signing Gvardiol

Liverpool are seriously interested in signing RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol during the summer transfer window, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.

The Lowdown: Gvardiol linked with Liverpool move

The Reds are hopefully set to embark on a busy time of things at the end of the season, as they hopefully bring in a number of players to refresh their ageing squad.

Liverpool have struggled in various areas this season and a new centre-back could be needed if Joel Matip departs, with the 31-year-old’s contract expiring once the 2023/24 campaign concludes.

One player who has been linked with a move to Anfield is Gvardiol, whose reputation has skyrocketed after a superb 2022 World Cup at the heart of Croatia’s defence.

The 21-year-old started all seven of his country’s matches in Qatar and was arguably as good as anyone in his position throughout the tournament, as Croatia finished third and media members called their defensive colossus “sensational“.

Now, a new update has emerged regarding Liverpool’s potential quest to sign Gvardiol – one that should be viewed as positive by Reds supporters.

The Latest: FSG “very seriously” in the mix

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jacobs admitted that the Croatian youngster remains very much a summer transfer target for Liverpool:

“Gvardiol is one of the names on Liverpool’s list for sure, and they’ve been tracking him very seriously over the course of the last few months.”

This could be seen as a silver lining to Monday morning’s transfer rumours for Liverpool fans, after the worrying report from The Athletic that a deal for Jude Bellingham may not happen.

The Verdict: Could be a sensational addition

Gvardiol really does look like a spectacular talent, already becoming such an irreplaceable figure for both Croatian and Leipzig, winning 19 caps for the former and making 78 appearances for the latter.

He has been hailed as the ‘best central defender in the world’ by Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic recently and his ceiling is incredibly high, considering how many years he still has ahead of him.

Liverpool’s defence has creaked this season, with even Virgil van Dijk not at his best, and with the Dutchman turning 32 this summer, a long-term term replacement will be needed at some point.

In Gvardiol, the Reds could have the perfect successor and the fact that he can also play at left-back means he could act as strong cover for Andy Robertson, too.

At the World Cup, Gvardiol showed exactly what he is capable of, enjoying an 89.9% pass completion rate and averaging 5.3 clearances per game, with his all-round brilliance hard not to notice. Whoever gets him could be signing a generational defender and Liverpool will surely hope it’s them.