Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly plotting a move to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol next summer.
The Lowdown: Spurs' previous interest in Gvardiol
The Premier League club were linked with a move for the centre-back during the previous summer transfer window. During that period, it was claimed in a report for the Evening Standard that Antonio Conte has an interest in the Leipzig defender, who journalist Jack Pitt-Brooke previously said could cost up to £80m.
Despite not signing him in the summer, it seems as though Spurs' interest in the 20-year-old has not completely gone away.
The Latest: Spurs plotting Gvardiol move
According to a recent report from Tuttomercatoweb, Spurs are looking to sign the defender once next summer's transfer window opens for business.
The report adds that Conte has asked Ivan Perisic to convince Gvardiol to join Spurs in the summer, with both players currently in World Cup action for Croatia.
[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-3/" title="Tottenham latest news!" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]
The Verdict: Fantastic target
Despite only starting eight of Leipzig's 15 Bundesliga games this season, only three players have made more progressive passes than Gvardiol (44), who has been hailed as an "extraordinary" player in the past by his compatriot Ivica Olic.
In addition, only two Leipzig players have made more clearances than the youngster (21), which highlights how capable he is off the ball in a defensive sense, along with moving it forward when in possession.
As one of the five outfield players to feature in every minute of World Cup action for Croatia so far in Qatar, this shows how important he is for his nation and how valuable he is for Zlatko Dalic.
Taking all of that into account, we feel that, given his age and his evident talents, securing a summer move for Gvardiol would be great business from Spurs, especially if Perisic ends up playing a big part in seeing the defender choose the Lilywhites as his next club.