Football

World Cup 2022: Chelsea and Man United Take Blow to Transfer Hopes

World Cup 2022: Chelsea and Man United Take Blow to Transfer Hopes
Mario Pasalic, Josko Gvardiol and Marko Livaja of Croatia during the Croatia Training Session at Al Ersal training center on December 4, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. Photo: Igor Kralj/PIXSELL - Photo by Icon sport

Manchester United and Chelsea as well as several other football clubs have taken a blow to their hopes of signing Croatian star center-back Josko Gvardiol.

Gvardiol’s performances for his country at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar have attracted plenty of attention from elite clubs around Europe but the defender has now reportedly decided to stay at his Bundesliga club, RB Leipzig.

European Interest in Gvardiol

Several clubs including English Premier League sides Man United and Chelsea, were apparently hoping to make a swoop for the defender in the upcoming January transfer window. The Croatian international is still very young at 20-years old and clubs feel he may well develop into one of Europe’s best defenders in time.

London club Chelsea were reported to try and sign Gvardiol in the summer transfer window but RB Leipzig refused their interest, deeming it too late in the window to do business. Other clubs from Europe’s elite like Man City and Real Madrid as well as Man United are also believed to have taken some interest in the player during the summer and were likely to pursue him this January again.

In a blow to those clubs hopes, Sky Sports Germany have recently reported that the young star will not make any moves this January after he has opted to stay at Leipzig following the outcome of the World Cup. The news seems to hint that Gvardiol will stay at his current club beyond the summer window of 2023, meaning that the player’s release clause will have expired.

Chelsea and Man United Interest in Gvardiol

Both Chelsea and the Red Devils are in the market for a new central defender as of now, and Gvardiol had been reported to be top of both sides’ respective post-Christmas lists. New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly has been said to have promised manager Graham Potter the funds to secure top players to build a trophy-winning team in the near future. Gvardiol and his Leipzig teammate Christopher Nkunku were both linked with the Blues but other plans may now have to be made given Gvardiol’s situation.

Manchester United were also very interested in Gvardiol as Erik ten Haag weighs up his center-back options. The new manager at Old Trafford is reported to not be overly convinced with club captain and England defender Harry Maguire and may look to move him out as soon as he can bring in someone better suited to his tastes. Gvardiol was possibly one of Ten Haag’s favored choices to partner Lisandro Martinez or Raphael Varane at the heart of Manchester United’s backline but now other choices will have to be considered by the ex-Ajax boss.

Gvardiol and Croatia Manager Dalic speak to the press at Qatar World Cup
Head Coach of Croatia Zlatko Dalic and Josko Gvardiol speaks to the media during Croatia press conference at Qatar National Convention Centre in Doha, Qatar on December 04, 2022. Photo: Igor Kralj/PIXSELL – Photo by Icon sport

 

Gvardiol – ‘I don’t know.’

Gvardiol himself has told the media that he has very little role in deciding what club, if any, he will line out for next. When asked about a possible move to Chelsea, the center-back told reporters he did not know what was happening.

“About me and Chelsea? I don’t know,” he said.

“You know what happened in the last few months,” he replied, “To be honest, I have no idea.

“My agent is taking care of this and we will see. Right now, I’m happy in Leipzig. I don’t know, we will see – you never know. You know the stories and these things, but all I can say is that I’m happy in Leipzig and right now I’m going to stay there and perform for them.”


Subscribe to Punditfeed on Google News for all the latest updates from the world of sports!