Liverpool are prioritising a move for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, according to reports in the UK.
The Croatian international is one of three centre-backs being targeted, along with Benfica’s Antonio Silva and Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio.
Supporters on Twitter would be delighted if the Reds won the race for Gvardiol, although they fear the club could be priced out of a move:
He’s perfect
— #4 (@Ifcvirgil) February 19, 2023
Make Josko Gvardiol dream reality! Plzzzzzzz
— Onabiyi Sunday (@onabiyi_sunday) February 20, 2023
Nat Philips signs a new contract.
— Nhiraj Sethiya (@the_nhiraj) February 20, 2023
He can also play LB and CB
— TitaMan2512 (@LethaboMotukisi) February 20, 2023
Would say Silva would be a good matip replacement should he leave, if we have the funds for 2 midfielders (Jude, someone else) would spend on gvardiol only cause he would be in high demand, haven’t seen much of inacio so I can’t really speak on him
— Gunesh☀️ (@Park_ranger11) February 19, 2023
Gvaridol and Inacio would be signed if we had proper owners
— Craig (@1CraigFisher) February 19, 2023
Gvardiol 100m
Bellingham 150
Manu Kone 30m
Kephren Thuram 30m
thats 310m to literally rebuild our team— Don Julio (@TobyfromDK) February 20, 2023
Gvardiol’s reported asking price is close to £110m, which seems well beyond Liverpool’s price range, so it isn’t surprising that the Merseysiders are considering other options.
With Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham having been linked with the 20-year-old as well, competition for the player’s signature will be fierce.
In terms of Silva, the Benfica star has a €100m (£89m) release clause so he wouldn’t be much cheaper than Gvardiol, but Inacio’s buyout fee is reportedly set at just €45m (£40m) so he could be a more realistic target.
