Josko Gvardiol agrees new contract with Leipzig amid Tottenham links, but transfer fee for 2023 revealed

Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a huge blow in the pursuit of RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, who has agreed to a contract extension.

Spurs have been scouring the market for defensive reinforcements, with a left centre-back turning out to be a priority for Antonio Conte.

Having already snapped up Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster and Yves Bissouma, Conte wants to bring in a top-class left centre-back who can fit in his back-three system.

The Italian gaffer wants to raid his former club Inter Milan for Alessandro Bastoni’s signing, but the young Azzurri defender is likely to remain with Nerazzurri next season, as revealed by his agent Tullio Tinti.

Leipzig’s Gvardiol has also been added to the list of potential defensive targets alongside Gleison Bremer , Clement Lenglet and Pau Torres.

The Croatian youngster became a revelation in the Bundesliga last season following his impressive displays for Die Rotten Bullen, who finished fourth in the table and clinched the DFB Pokal title.

The 20-year-old also boasts impressive defensive and attacking numbers with a whoscored rating of 7.04 for his debut season in the Bundesliga.

He has attracted a lot of interest from European elites, including Spurs, who have also reportedly made contact with the German giants.

According to the Daily Mail, Gvardiol is closing in on an extension with Leipzig, throwing cold water on Tottenham’s pursuit.

However, the report adds that Leipzig will include a release clause of around €50m in his new deal, which could allow Spurs to target him in the summer of 2023.

It has also been revealed that it was Gvardiol’s decision to extend his contract as he feels it is too early to make a move to a big club.

Gvardiol will follow Christopher Nkunku, who has recently signed an extension, with Leipzig fending off interests from top clubs.

The Leipzig pairing appears to be in the same boat as they have been affixed new release clauses, which can be triggered next summer.

For Gvardiol, Spurs would be keeping an eye on him even if they were to sign a centre-back this transfer window.

However, the Lilywhites might have to battle European heavyweights and fellow Premier League rivals Chelsea – another reported suitor – for the signing of Gvardiol in the summer of 2023, especially if his progress continues to be on an upward trajectory.