Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea have “submitted offers” for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, according to Fichajes.net.

The Spanish rumour mongers claim that the three Premier League sides are trying to take advantage of the fact that negotiations between Manchester City and Leipzig have stalled.

Up until now, the Premier League champions have been considered the frontrunners to sign Gvardiol but they have had trouble agreeing a fee, with Leipzig holding out for €100m (£86m).

Fichajes report that Liverpool, United and Chelsea are all prepared to “fight tooth and nail” to secure the Croatian international’s services, although they do say that City remain “favourites” to win the battle.

Liverpool are in the market for a left-sided centre-back

Respected journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed on more than one occasion that signing a centre-half is on the Reds’ agenda this summer.

It is believed that manager Jurgen Klopp wants to bring in a left-footed player and, in that regard, Gvardiol would be the perfect candidate.

Gvardiol’s price tag is likely to be too high

Although Liverpool have raised a decent amount from the sales of Jordan Henderson and (soon) Fabinho, all of those funds will be invested in recruiting Romeo Lavia from Southampton. The Belgian international is expected to cost at least £45m.

With that being the case, it is hard to see where the Merseysiders will find the money to finance a move for Gvardiol, who is set to fetch a world-record fee for a defender.

There is no doubt that the 21-year-old could be a mainstay of the Reds’ defence for the next decade or longer but the level of investment required to bring him in is well beyond the club’s means. A centre-half may be signed before the transfer window shuts but it is very unlikely to be Gvardiol.