Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, Germany - April 2, 2022. RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol celebrates.
Tottenham Hotspur are ‘definitely in the conversation’ to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol and could beat Premier League rivals Chelsea to his signature, according to BBC pundit Alan Hutton.
The Lowdown: Gvardiol being monitored
Football Insider reported last week that the Lilywhites are keeping close tabs on the 20-year-old after a long-standing interest that runs back almost two years, but they are set to face competition from the Blues.
Antonio Conte is expected to be offered a new bumper contract that could see him earning up to £20m a year, and it’s believed that this could play a significant role in attracting potential transfer targets.
The Latest: Tottenham backed to win the race
Speaking to Football Insider, former Spurs defender Hutton claimed that Conte committing his future could make Spurs a more attractive project for Gvardiol.
“I don’t see why Tottenham can’t beat Chelsea to him.
“They’re definitely now in the conversation, fighting with the likes of Chelsea, and that attractiveness will only increase with cup runs and European football.
“I think for the player, he’ll be more than happy to be linked with both clubs.
“But with Conte potentially signing a new long-term deal, and the progress that they’re making – it’s something, as a player, that I would want to be involved in.”
The Verdict: Davies replacement
Tottenham must be extremely keen to land Gvardiol seeing as they haven’t given up the chase since 2020, and he would be an ideal long-term replacement for Ben Davies.
The ‘aggressive’ centre-back, as labelled by football talent scout Jacek Kulig, currently averages an 89.5% Bundesliga pass success rate and can operate at left-back as well as centrally (WhoScored), showing he has the versatility and technical qualities to accompany his forceful style of defending.
The Croatian has a £44m release clause in his contract at Leipzig which is more than affordable for Fabio Paratici, so they should undoubtedly snap him up if given the chance.
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