According to recent reports, Chelsea are unlikely to make a move for RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol in the summer transfer window. The Croatian defender is highly sought after by some of the biggest clubs in the world, including Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Tottenham. However, Chelsea has other transfer priorities, including a new striker, goalkeeper, and midfielder.
Last summer, Chelsea attempted to sign Gvardiol but failed to secure the deal. The defender ultimately decided to sign a contract extension with RB Leipzig, which included a release clause of £97 million. While the clause does not become active until 2024, it is likely to be a guideline price for any interested clubs this summer.
Despite Gvardiol being widely regarded as the best young defender in world football, Chelsea has decided not to pursue him further. The club recently brought in Benoit Badiashile during the January transfer window, who has impressed the coaching staff. Like Gvardiol, Badiashile is just 21 years old and is also a ball-playing, left-footed centre-back.
Chelsea is wary of stunting Badiashile’s development by bringing in a more expensive player at the same stage of his career. Additionally, both players are left-footed, which raises questions about how well they could operate alongside each other in a back four. Levi Colwill, who is even younger at 20 years old, is also part of Chelsea’s long-term plans.
As things stand, Chelsea feels that they are well-stocked at centre-back, particularly left-sided ones. They are instead prioritising other areas of the pitch, including a new striker to address their struggles for goals under Graham Potter, a new goalkeeper, and another midfielder.
Chelsea will also consider whether or not to turn Joao Felix’s loan stay into a permanent move. While the Portuguese attacker has impressed, he only has one goal in eight appearances, and Atletico Madrid will demand a big fee.
In conclusion, while Gvardiol is one of the most in-demand players in the world, Chelsea has decided not to pursue him further due to other transfer priorities and concerns about stunting Badiashile’s development. The club is instead focusing on signing a new striker, goalkeeper, and midfielder in the summer transfer window.