Chelsea’s new man at the helm Graham Potter is already at work in planning for his first transfer window at the club which is just over 100 days away. Potter was hired by the Blues within 24 hours of Thomas Tuchel’s sacking and is expected to lead a long-term project at the club. The former Brighton coach has penned a five-year deal at the club for a whopping package of €70 million.

According to Bild’s Christian Falk, Potter wants RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol as his very first signing at the club in January. The center-back has been a long-term target of the Blues, and was wanted by Potter’s predecessor Tuchel as well. Chelsea are now planning to acquire him in the winter transfer market as they gear up to help their new boss.

Graham Potter
New Chelsea boss Graham Potter has made RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol as his prime target for a January move. Credits: Twitter

Gvardiol’s extension could keep him from joining Graham Potter at Stamford Bridge

While Thomas Tuchel vigorously pursued Gvardiol, Leipzig too were reluctant on letting their talent leave. Gvardiol was signed by the Bundesliga side from Dinamo Zagreb last summer for a fee of €20 million. The defender has since made 53 appearances for Leipzig, helping them keep 17 clean-sheets, lift the DFB Pokal Cup and reach the Europa League semi-finals last season.

Chelsea went all out to grab him from the clutches of Leipzig this summer as they tabled a €90 million offer in front of the German club. However, Leipzig rejected the offer outright as they stood firm on their decision of not letting Gvardiol go. Given Chelsea’s efforts, Leipzig quickly extended the 20-year-old’s contract this month which now runs until the summer of 2027.

The move has taken Chelsea further away from their prime target as they invested their money in Leicester City’s Wesley Fofana who was brought in for €80 million. But Graham Potter is determined to bring Gvardiol to Stamford Bridge as per Falk. The former Brighton coach has been assured full support from Chelsea owner Todd Boehly as he builds his new project.

Graham Potter
Gvardiol has been a long term target of the Blues and Graham Potter, like his predecessor Tuchel has decided to bring in the center-back. Credits: Twitter

Graham Potter wants to start from the defense, which has leaked in 10 goals in 7 games so far. The new head coach is not content with the current options of Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana and Kalidou Koulibaly. He wants Gvardiol to reinforce the backline given the versatility he possesses. A natural center-back, Gvardiol can plies his trade on the left in a back-four and can even b deployed as a wing-back.

However, Chelsea have just spent €122 million on the acquisition of two center-backs this summer in Wesley Fofana [€83m] and Kalidou Koulibaly [€39m]. As a result, it is not yet clear whether they will rebuff their Gvardiol interest with the same €90m fee they offered this summer. Meanwhile, the Croatia international has made 6 appearances so far this season for Leipzig in the Bundesliga leading them to 2 wins and 2 draws.