Chelsea reportedly in advanced talks with RB Leipzig over deal to sign €90m defender Josko Gvardiol

Chelsea are reportedly in advanced talks to sign RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol. According to reporter Fabrizio Romano, the Blues would pay €90m and loan the Croatian defender back to Leipzig for the rest of this season. Gvardiol would then join Chelsea next summer.

Ad Gvardiol, a 20-year-old Croatian international centre back, has been heavily-linked with numerous clubs this summer. However, given the reported existence of a release clause in his Leipzig deal which takes effect from next summer, speculation had been that Gvardiol would not be sold in this window. TransfersMan Utd consider late move for Barca defender Dest to strengthen defenceAN HOUR AGO The release clause of €50m was included when Gvardiol agreed a new contract with Leipzig in June, only 12 months after joining the club from Dinamo Zagreb.

Manchester City and Tottenham were also reportedly interested in Gvardiol, but dropped out after Leipzig's stance became known. Chelsea now appear to have jumped the queue for next season. The reported deal follows a similar format as Liverpool's signing of Naby Keita.

The Guinean midfielder was sold to the Reds for €60m in 2017, but played out the full 2017-18 season for Leipzig before joining Liverpool the following year. Keita was Leipzig's record transfer sale, but Gvardiol would smash that record. Fabrizio Romano reported back in July that Gvardiol was high on Chelsea's transfer wish-list.