World Cup star Gardiol in January to beat Real Madrid and Man City to RB Leipzig ace

CHELSEA are looking to beat both Real Madrid and Manchester City to the signing of Josko Gvardiol by launching a £45million move next month.

The centre-back, 20, has cemented his status as one of the hottest prospects in football with some impressive performances during the World Cup.

Unfortunately his and Croatia’s dreams ended on Tuesday night when they were beaten 3-0 by Argentina in the semi-final.

However, the RB Leipzig scored one as he helped his country beat Morocco 2-1 in yesterday’s third-place play-off.

Now, after his international exploits, the chase to sign him is hotting up as a host of clubs from across Europe chase his services.

Chelsea have been linked with him for months as have Manchester United and Real Madrid have also entered the chase for his signature.

A midweek report in France stated that Pep Guardiola is preparing to “short-circuit” the competition with a bumper offer to bring him to Manchester City next month.

Now a new report claims that Chelsea are readying a move to sign him in the January transfer window and beat their rivals to his signature.

It states that Leipzig would rather hold on to the star until the summer.

But the Daily Mirror says “Chelsea don’t want to wait and the Bundesliga outfit are bracing themselves for a move from the Blues when the transfer window opens in two weeks”.

He cost the German side £15m back in 2021 from Dinamo Zagreb but his value has now tripled with a £45m price tag placed on his head.

It also adds that Gvardiol will not push to leave now.

He will respect whatever decision Leipzig make and is prepared to stay until at least the end of the campaign.

The defender is under contract until 2027 but this latest update says Gvardiol’s agents have already spoken to the Blues about an initial contract offer of three-and-a-half seasons