Another Chelsea centre-back target is revealed in RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, while Aston Villa receive a Philippe Coutinho update – both in all the latest Transfer Gossip.
CHELSEA EYE JOSKO GVARDIOL
RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol has become a firm Chelsea transfer target for when the club resumes its transfer activity, according to a report.
The Blues are facing something of a crisis in defence, with two senior centre-backs on the way out. Indeed, Antonio Rudiger – who has proved Chelsea’s leader at the back this season – is off to Real Madrid soon.
He will move to Spain as a free agent, as will fellow Blues centre-back Andreas Christensen. The Denmark international reportedly has a deal in place with Barcelona.
As a result, Chelsea are seeking reinforcements when the sanctions on the club are lifted and new owners come in.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Sevilla’s Jules Kounde is one of four centre-back targets on Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel’s shortlist.
According to Goal, 20-year-old Croatia international Gvardiol is another. The Leipzig star moved to the Bundesliga club last summer from Dinamo Zagreb.
He has impressed in his debut season in Germany, playing all but three Bundesliga games with Leipzig battling for a top-four finish.
And the report adds that Tuchel can see Gvardiol playing on the left side of a back three, his preferred system at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have reportedly been scouting the Croatian since he broke into the Dinamo Zagreb side.
Goal adds that Kounde, Paris Saint-Germain’s Presnel Kimpembe and Jose Gimenez of Atletico Madrid are also on Tuchel and Chelsea’s radar.
TRANSFER GOSSIP – COUTINHO, VILLA DEADLINE
Aston Villa have until the end of May to decide whether to keep Philippe Coutinho, a report has claimed.
The Brazilian playmaker is on loan from Barcelona for the second half of the season. And the former Liverpool midfielder’s second Premier League spell has proved a tale of two…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Transfer News – TEAMtalk…