RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol will remain at the club next season, despite heavy transfer interest from Liverpool.
That’s according to the German outfit’s manager, Marco Rose, having spoken to TV 2 Sport after Leipzig’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City last night.
“He is a fantastic player and a great guy. He is young and still has things to develop. He is a professional every day and he is our player,” Rose said.
“He will also be our player next season as well.
“I am the coach. I am the one asking to keep him. He has a contract and that means he is our player next season.
“I also heard that he is happy here. Everyone writes that he wants to go to the Premier League, but he has never said when.
“He has a good time here and likes his teammates and the city. He is a Leipzig player.”
Rose says Gvardiol won’t be joining Liverpool this summer
Although the focus this season has been on Liverpool needing to spend big on their midfield, it has become evident that Jurgen Klopp needs an additional player at centre-back.
Thus, he probably couldn’t sign a better defender than Gvardiol.
The 21-year-old has already established himself as a world-class prospect, having impressed for both Leipzig and Croatia in recent times.
Hailed by Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic as ‘incredible’, it is no wonder the Reds are so keen on the centre-half.
As a boyhood fan of Liverpool, the Merseyside outfit would be in a strong position when it comes to negotiating with the player.
Whilst Rose claims he won’t be leaving Leipzig anytime soon, Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg claims the youngster has a £96m release clause in his contract, which can be activated from 2024.
Although this doesn’t necessarily mean the Reds will be able to sign Gvardiol straight away, they would likely be able to land him sooner if they broke the £100m mark.