Tottenham Hotspur could be back in the frame for Josko Gvardiol next year, Jack Pitt-Brooke of The Athletic writes.

The lowdown

Spurs' London rivals Chelsea tried to sign Gvardiol in the final knockings of the summer transfer window.

As per The Athletic, they held talks with RB Leipzig over a deal that would have been worth £60.5million.

But the Bundesliga club then significantly upped their asking price to £77.8million, before tying the Croatian down to a new contract and thwarting the Blues.

The 20-year-old has now been tied down until the summer of 2027 in a move that may increase his value even further.

The Athletic reported back in the spring that Gvardiol is top of Antonio Conte's list of possible long-term centre-back additions.

The latest

Pitt-Brooke took to Twitter to tell Tottenham fans that Gvardiol's name could certainly resurface in future windows.

Spurs are 'big fans' of the Croatian and may well factor in the hotly-contested race for his signature, alongside the Blues.

"Certainly one to keep an eye on for 2023," he said. "Chelsea and Tottenham obviously both big fans of his and they're not the only ones."

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The verdict

Gvardiol's potential sale could be one of the biggest moves of the next calendar year.

He looks a special prospect, and that's reflected by his nomination for Tuttosport's 2022 Golden Boy Award, given to the best Under-21 player on the continent.

Compatriot Ivica Olic has called him 'extraordinary' and says 'all the top clubs in Europe know about him', while former Leipzig sporting director Markus Krosche has billed him 'one of the greatest European defensive talents'.

Spurs may have signed Clement Lenglet from FC Barcelona, but that's only a loan deal, and so there may be a vacancy for Gvardiol come the end of the season.