Dinamo Zagreb v CSKA Moskva: Group K - UEFA Europa League Josko Gvardiol of Dinamo Zagreb celebrate a goal during the UEFA Europa League Group K stage match between Dinamo Zagreb and CSKA Moscow at Maksimir Stadium on December 10, 2020 in Zagreb, Croatia. MarkoxPrpic/PIXSELL
According to Leeds Live, Josko Gvardiol revealed that Leeds United came with an offer for him in the summer. However, the Croatian turned that down and moved to Leipzig instead. He was allowed to return to Dinamo Zagreb for this season and he said that it was a huge reason in signing for Leipzig.
Born in Croatia, Gvardiol started his journey with NK Tresnjevka before joining Dinamo’s youth system. He excelled with the club’s youth squads and also helped them reach the quarterfinals of the UEFA Youth League last season.
Despite being a youth player, the 18-year-old made his debut for the senior set-up last season and has made 13 appearances so far. He was also a part of the squad which won the Croatian league title last season. A move to RB Leipzig followed this summer.
He was, however, allowed to remain at Dinamo Zagreb for this season and will link up with the German side in a few months. So far, he has made 29 appearances for them, scoring twice. His impressive performances and a swift rise to the top earned him a call-up to Croatia’s U21 squad as he made his debut in November last year.
The Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa was busy throughout the summer and brought in several new faces to the squad. One notable signing at the back has been German international Robin Koch, who arrived from Freiburg. At the moment, Leeds have Liam Cooper and Koch to form the central defensive pair.
This has left the Championship winners with limited options at the back. Thus, they need to bring a few more central defenders with a view of the future. Add to that, Koch’s long-term injury which has forced Bielsa to play Luke Ayling in an unfamiliar centre-back role.
In that regard, Gvardiol would be a fantastic signing for the club. The youngster has already shown his potential last campaign, which belies his tender age. He may not walk straight into Bielsa’s starting XI but the teenager could develop himself with the club’s reserve squad before taking the stride into the big games.
His inclusion would definitely add depth to the squad and he still has a lot of room for development.