He is admired by Pep Guardiola, desired by Jurgen Klopp, while Chelsea were told that £77.4m for him simply wasn’t enough.
Add in that he’s been at the top of Tottenham’s wish list for two years and it’s fair to say that Josko Gvardiol is Europe’s most coveted centre-back.
His club Red Bull Leipzig has him locked into a contract with a £97m release clause for 2024.
“Josko Gvardiol will also be a RB Leipzig player next season,” said coach Marco Rose. I am the coach and I ask for it. He said that he wants to play in the Premier League, but he did not say when.
Rose’s problem is that those close to Gvardiol feel that he wants that opportunity this summer.
Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig is the £115m defender sought by Europe’s elite this summer
Gvardiol has never been shy about admitting his ambition to play for England.
As an 18-year-old prospect at Dinamo Zagreb, Gvardiol was called up every day by Leeds United. Marcelo Bielsa telephoned personally to present the Leeds case. They showed him videos of his defensive and attacking skills and offered Zagreb £17 million. Gvardiol was tempted but was yet to be convinced of his own capabilities.
“I was like ‘wow, they’ve really nailed this.’ I’m moving to Leeds,” Gvardiol said. ‘But then, I had the same feeling after we met in Leipzig. You suddenly become more realistic once you have the offer in front of you.
“I reminded myself that I’m only 18 and I’m not quite sure how I would fit in at Leeds, especially with all that tight schedule. They probably massacred me there at this stage. I decided that Germany is the best option for my long-term development.’
Although Leeds would protest otherwise, it has been difficult to dispute their decision.
Gvardiol has grown at Leipzig and with Croatia. Now 21, and after Chelsea’s bold attempt to lure him away last summer, he is at the point where he believes the next step is necessary.
Bielsa’s stamp of approval is usually enough of an affirmation for Pep Guardiola. Manchester City have been watching closely, indeed Gvardiol is arguably top of their list amid concerns that Aymeric Laporte will leave this summer.
Gvardiol’s defensive performance against City in their Champions League round of 16 first leg three weeks ago confirmed his belief in his qualities, the fact that he also scored underscored the added dimension he can provide.
Gvardiol climbs higher to head home against Manchester City in the round of 16 first leg last month
The biggest obstacle will be the valuation of Leipzig. Sportsmail understands that the asking price of Leipzig to sell it this summer will be around 115 million pounds sterling (130 million euros).
The same goes for Liverpool and Chelsea, while realistically it’s already out of reach for Newcastle United and Tottenham.
Three years ago, he was Tottenham’s number one target, but his development has left them and similar suitors to be desired.
“He has matured beyond his years,” said a Premier League hiring manager. ‘He understands the game, he’s quick on his feet and very strong defending the channels.
“Technically, he can develop with both feet, but he’s probably the best left-footed ball to play as a center midfielder in Europe.” He already has a lot of European and international experience for his age. When you compare him with Pau Torres at Villarreal, who has a similar profile, he is more robust, aggressive and equal in his construction game.
Even the way he dealt with the loss against Argentina at the World Cup has impressed many.
Gvardiol came under fire after 35-year-old Lionel Messi stood him up and left him behind as the Argentine danced past him en route to set up City’s Julián Álvarez for his country’s third goal in their 3- 0 over Croatia.
Without giving in, Gvardiol simply reasoned: ‘Someday I will be able to say that I played against the best player in history. We’ll beat him next time.
Gvardiol came under fire after he was left chasing down Lionel Messi, 35, at the World Cup.
As one Premier League scout assessed: “The difference is that some young players will have that experience and their confidence will go away.” He doesn’t have that mentality. Gvardiol will study and learn to cope with this movement by Messi.
He’ll work to be better and you can bet he won’t let a striker do that to him again. The only danger has been that he can occasionally be complacent because the Bundesliga has become so comfortable for him.
When asked how he has developed so quickly at Leipzig, Gvardiol, who once idolized PSG’s Sergio Ramos, attributes it to the ethics instilled in him as a child.
‘I would say they know how to work with young players. That is, of course, if the player is willing to put in the work. There are also players who are sometimes not prepared. I have dedicated myself fully to work since I arrived. I have absorbed it all and worked on myself. I think there is still room for improvement and I can improve.’
Known as ‘Little Pep’ because of his name’s similarity to that of the City manager, Gvardiol started out as a midfielder and followed Liverpool as a child.
He used to watch his games with his father Tihomir, himself a decent amateur gamer.
“I grew up only with them,” Gvardiol told 24 Sata. “When I took football more seriously, I started following them, and I definitely want the Premier League and Liverpool.”
Liverpool’s priority is to strengthen the midfield, with Jude Bellingham as their main summer target
Chelsea will look to make room by selling 31-year-old centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly
While that may be music to Liverpool’s ears, their priority to strengthen themselves in midfield dictates that there will be little budget left to compete against favorites City.
Manchester United would want to challenge his signing, especially as they are considering dumping Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof in the summer.
Chelsea will be looking to make room by selling 31-year-old Kalidou Koulibaly, but Guardiola hopes City can prevail.
Tonight, City fans will see first-hand the difference Gvardiol could make.