Tottenham Hotspur remain interested in a deal to bring Josko Gvardiol to the Premier League this summer.

What's the talk?

Transfer Focus

That's according to reports via The Express, who claim that, despite Spurs' earlier capture of Barcelona's Clement Lenglet on a season-long loan, Fabio Paratici remains interested in the RB Leipzig centre-back - for whom the Bundesliga side are believed to be demanding a figure in the region of £80m to part with this summer.

However, a further report by Media Foot recently claimed is it Arsenal who are leading the race for the Croatia international's signature, with Mikel Arteta believed to consider the 20-year-old a perfect replacement for Gabriel - who has been linked with a €30m (£25.5m) move to Juventus.

Arteta will be fuming

Considering the sheer amount of potential Gvardiol undoubtedly possesses, it is easy to see why both Tottenham and Arsenal would be interested in a deal to bring the Leipzig starlet to north London ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

Indeed, over his 29 Bundesliga appearances in 2021/22, the £102m-rated talent was a rock in the heart of Domenico Tedesco's defence, helping Die Roten Bullen keep seven clean sheets, as well as making an average of 1.8 interceptions, 1.6 tackles, 1.9 clearances and winning 5.9 duels - at a success rate of 58% - per game.

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The £21k-per-week defender also impressed in an attacking capacity, scoring two goals, registering two assists and creating four big chances for his teammates, in addition to completing an average of 59.3 passes, 3.4 long balls, 1.3 dribbles and taking 0.8 shots per fixture.

These returns saw the player who Ivica Olic dubbed "extraordinary" average a quite astonishing SofaScore match rating of 7.10, ranking him as Leipzig's fourth-best performer in the top flight of German football last time out.

As such, considering his incredibly impressive returns last season, in addition to the fact that the 10-cap international is still just 20 years of age, it is clear to see why Gvardiol is attracting the attention of both Spurs and the Gunners in the summer market - as the Croat would undoubtedly be an extremely welcome addition to either Antonio Conte's or Arteta's defensive options next season.

And, with reports suggesting that it is Arsenal who are currently in pole position for the centre-back, should Paratici manage to steal the Leipzig starlet away from a move to The Emirates this summer, it would be an outcome that will simultaneously leave Arteta fuming and Spurs supporters buzzing - all the more reason for the sporting director to launch a late offensive.

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