Gvardiol named in Europe’s top five prospects after Leeds came so close to signing him

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Leeds United were heavily linked with signing Josko Gvardiol ahead of the 2020/21 season under Marcelo Bielsa.

It was reported in September 2020 that Leeds had agreed a £20 million fee for the defender when he was still playing for Dinamo Zagreb.

He then moved to RB Leipzig, which has been a breeding ground for some of the best young players in European football.

And it seems he has continued to go from strength to strength after that brush with a move to Elland Road.

The CIES Football Observatory have published their list of the best outfielders under the age of 21.

And Gvardiol is the best defender on the list, ranked fourth, in and around the likes of Bukayo Saka, who sits top.

Speaking about why he turned Leeds down, the defender said in September 2020: “The reason was that (Leipzig) gave me an option to stay at Dinamo for a bit longer.

“I think it was too early to go to England, one of the strongest leagues in the world. Staying at Dinamo will contribute to my development in general.”

Leipzig know what they are doing in terms of developing young starlets and being a production factory and perhaps the move to England would have been too soon for the talented defender.

Either way, it looks like the next move he would make will be a big one.