RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol is wanted by Chelsea this summer (Picture: Getty)
Josko Gvardiol has become Chelsea’s No.1 transfer target this summer with Thomas Tuchel ‘in love’ with the defender, according to reports.
The RB Leipzig centre-back could end up at Stamford Bridge after the Blues missed out on Jules Kounde, who opted to join Barcelona instead.
Tuchel is seeking defensive reinforcements after losing Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen to Real Madrid and Barcelona respectively this summer.
Chelsea have already signed Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly but need more options if they are to build on their third-place Premier League finish last term.
Gvardiol is the player at the top of Chelsea’s wish list, but the Bundesliga club are keen to keep hold of him and it is said the Blues would need a ‘miracle’ to sign the 20-year-old Croatia international given he is under contract until 2026.
‘Gvardiol is one of the top names on [Chelsea’s] list – Thomas Tuchel is in love with this player,’ transfer expert Fabrizio Romano said.
‘Let me say that he’s option number one in the list, but as of today, the situation on Leipzig’s side is still the same – they have no intention at all to sell Gvardiol this summer.
Wesley Fofana has also been linked with a move to Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
‘So, it is going to be more than complicated. For Fofana, it’s difficult, but you can negotiate. For Gvardiol, it’s not even the case.
‘He’s considered untouchable by Leipzig, so Chelsea would need a miracle to sign Gvardiol.’
Quizzed on if German side RB Leipzig would be interested in a swap deal for Gvardiol involving Chelsea’s Timo Werner, Romano added: ‘At the moment, it’s more than difficult because Leipzig don’t want to sell the player.
‘But Chelsea tried, and let’s see if something can happen.’
Tuchel’s side are also said to be keen on signing Leicester City defender Wesley Fofana, but the Foxes are demanding a world-record fee for him.
They had been linked to Presnel Kimpembe – who has decided to stay at Paris Saint-Germain – and were previously rumoured to be interested in a return for Nathan Ake from Manchester City.
MORE : Cal the Dragon makes Premier League top four prediction for 2022-23 season
MORE : Xavi tells Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso he will do everything to sign them at Barca
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
