Leeds United have offered Dinamo Zagreb defender Josko Gvardiol a five-year contract as the Elland Road outfit close in on a final agreement, according to Football Insider.
The Whites have been working on a deal for the 18-year-old centre-half over the past few weeks, having first opened a line of communication with Gvardiol’s Prva HNL side toward the end of August following the successful capture of SC Freiburg ace Robin Koch.
Dinamo Zagreb immediately slapped a €20million (£17.8m) asking price on their rising star but the price tag in question does not appear to have been a hurdle in matters, as reports soon emerged of a ‘verbal agreement’ to meet the figure with an offer including unspecified add-ons.
Football Insider now support the claims which emerged over the weekend of a ‘verbal agreement’ by doubling down on Leeds offering Gvardiol a long-term contract – said to be a five-year deal – in the hopes of luring the teenager to Elland Road.
Director of Football Victor Orta and head coach Marcelo Bielsa are understood to consider Gvardiol as an ‘important’ player for the club’s future, as they look to sure up our backline further ahead of the start of our first season back in the Premier League.
Will Bielsa have enough CB cover with Gvardiol for the new term?
Yes
No
A source is further alleged to have confirmed to Football Insider that there is confidence at Elland Road that a deal can be wrapped up before the first ball is kicked at the weekend, while adding that Bielsa feels the Croatia Under 21 international will provide vital cover at both centre-half and left-back this term.
Gvardiol has only played 13 first-team fixtures for Dinamo Zagreb since making his senior debut last October with most of his outings coming in the heart of the defence, but has been fielded as a full-back previously.