Real Madrid and Manchester United interested in Croatia and RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol

Manchester United and Real Madrid are interested in the signature of Croatia and RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol, according to Sky Sport reporter Florian Plettenberg on Twitter.

The Red Devils and the European champions, alongside Chelsea and Barcelona, have asked for details about the 20-year-old. All of the four aforementioned clubs are participating in the race to sign the defender from the German outfit.

However, Gvardiol’s existing deal with the Bundesliga club runs until the end of the 2026/27 season. His current contract also does not include a release clause.

News #Gvardiol: We’ve been told: NO release clause in his contract until 2027. But lots of top clubs informed about him for 2023. #CFC, #MUFC, Real and Barcelona highly involved. For Tuchel he was the main target. Boehly also focused on him. NO contact with Bayern. @SkySportDE 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/XQsOqjzpEx

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) December 5, 2022

The Blues were eyeing the Croatian recently. He was the main target for former Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel. The Stamford Bridge side’s co-owner Todd Boehly is currently monitoring the centre-back as well.

Chelsea only recently signed Kalidou Koulibaly and Wesly Fofana in the summer of 2022. Graham Potter has other options in Thiago Silva and Trevoh Chalobah.

As for Real Madrid, they raided the Blues and signed Antonio Rudiger on a free transfer in the recent transfer window. Barcelona also took former Chelsea star Andreas Christensen to Spain.

News #Gvardiol: We’ve been told: NO release clause in his contract until 2027. But lots of top clubs informed about him for 2023. #CFC, #MUFC, Real and Barcelona highly involved. For Tuchel he was the main target. Boehly also focused on him. NO contact with Bayern. @SkySportDE 🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/XQsOqjzpEx

— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) December 5, 2022

Gvardiol signed for Leipzig last year from Dinamo Zagreb in his home country. After an impressive debut campaign in Germany, the 20-year-old has caught a lot of people’s attention. He has been pivotal for Die Roten Bullen this season too.

The centre-back is currently in Qatar, thriving for Croatia. He has put in impressive displays at the World Cup as the Vatreni have made it to the quarter-finals of the prestigious competition, where they will face Brazil.

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Erik ten Hag has impressive depth in the backline. Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have been solid under the Dutch manager. Harry Maguire is also showcasing his qualities at the World Cup. Thus, unless we lose one of our defenders, we can hold off on making a move for Gvardiol.