Chelsea risk being crowded out in the battle for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.
Gvardiol was dominant at the back in Croatia’s penalty shootout win over Japan after goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved three spot kicks following a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes.
Gvardiol has been excelling in front of a global audience for the first time in Qatar. His performances have attracted interest beyond just Chelsea, with Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona now ready to rival any bids for the 20-year-old, says the London Evening Standard.
His agent, Marjan Sisic, said on Monday that Gvardiol is “not in a hurry” to decide his future after Chelsea’s new owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake tried to force a transfer through this summer.
For Croatia, Gvardiol is the great hope ahead of a tough quarter-final match against Brazil on Friday.