Report: Barcelona now ready to battle Chelsea for the signing of ‘phenomenal’ player, he’d rather join a rival

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Barcelona are reportedly preparing to take on Chelsea in the race to sign Josko Gvardiol.

According to the Evening Standard, there could be a four-way wrestling match for the RB Leipzig defender between some of Europe’s heavy hitters.

Along with Chelsea and Barca, the Evening Standard suggest Manchester City and Real Madrid are willing to go toe-to-toe with their rivals for Gvardiol.

The 20-year-old has rightly earned the interest from the continent’s giants following his sterling World Cup campaign so far.

He has started all four of Croatia’s fixtures, keeping two clean sheets and conceding just twice.

Other than the wizardry figure of Luka Modric, the Leipzig centre-back is arguably his country’s most influential player.

Which is some statement, considering Gvardiol is the youngest member of the Croatia squad.

But age simply does not define a footballer anymore.

Just ask Jude Bellingham, who looks the most mature man on the planet, despite still living his best teenage life.

Josko Gvardiol is in demand

Bellingham and Gvardiol have been two of the World Cup’s standout performers, and are now two of the world’s most desired commodities.

Both incidentally are reportedly wanted by Chelsea, as Todd Boehly readies himself to splash big in the next pair of transfer windows.

Boehly will need to smash open the piggy bank if he is to sign either of the young stars.

His focus right now appears to be on Gvardiol, although Bellingham cannot be too far out of sight.

There will be several obstacles standing in the way of the Chelsea owner and his targets, of course.

For one, Gvardiol has already voiced his love for Real Madrid, describing the Champions League holders as ‘the biggest club in the world’.

This declaration, and his friendship with Modric, might be the catalyst for the Bernabeu chain of command to get their man.

However, Boehly may ask Mateo Kovacic to put in a good word to his compatriot, having already labelled Gvardiol as ‘phenomenal’.

Whatever it takes, Todd, do it.