Report: Arsenal interested in ‘amazing’ centre-back Josko Gvardiol

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Arsenal are one of the sides interested in signing Josko Gvardiol, with Index in Croatia reporting that almost every European heavyweight wants the 20-year-old.

Gvardiol looks destined for the very top of the game. He is a regular fixture in the RB Leipzig defence, moving from left-back to centre-back.

Former Leipzig and new Leeds boss Jesse Marsch described Gvardiol as an ‘amazing’ player. He also insisted that he had not seen a 19-year-old with as much potential as the Croatia international.

Recent reports claimed that Tottenham want the youngster. Antonio Conte is looking to strengthen in that left centre-back spot. And Gvardiol is one of the options on the list.

But Spurs are going to face a lot of competition for his signature. Index claims that almost every big European club is monitoring the former Dinamo Zagreb starlet. And amongst those who want Gvardiol is Arsenal.

Interestingly, Index adds that Leipzig could receive one of the highest fees ever paid for a defender when he leaves. The figure mentioned is around £67.3 million.

It must be worth noting Gvardiol has already claimed that he plans to stay next season. So the asking price may not be the only big hurdle.

Gvardiol would be a brilliant signing, but do Arsenal need to spend £67m on him?

Gvardiol is a player who ticks all sorts of boxes. It is frightening to think about how good he is at his current age. And he can play superbly in two different positions.

Having said that, Arsenal have put a fantastic defensive unit together.

Gvardiol may prove to be an upgrade on the options they already have in the years to come, whether that be Ben White or Kieran Tierney. But it is hard to see the Gunners spending so much on a player who would either not be first-choice immediately, or would relegate White or Gabriel to the bench.

The situation may be different if Mikel Arteta wants to switch to a back three. But Arsenal remain something of a work in progress. So spending anything like £67 million on an area where they are already incredibly strong does not necessarily look to be the smartest move.