Tottenham Hotspur have RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol ‘among their top targets’, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

Spurs are known to be prioritising a left-sided centre-back this summer, and the highly-rated 20-year-old is believed to be one of the options currently being assessed by Antonio Conte.

What is the latest news involving Gvardiol?

A report from The Athletic previously claimed Gvardiol is high up on Tottenham’s wish list as they look to improve the heart of their defence ahead of next season.

And French reporter Nabil Djellit has recently revealed that Spurs are continuing to target the 6 foot 2 ace and have even opened talks with Leipzig over a potential deal.

However, the north London outfit may have a tough task on their hands when it comes to prising Gvardiol away from the Red Bull Arena.

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The Croatia international’s contract does not expire until the summer of 2026, and German football expert Stefan Bienkowski has revealed both Tottenham and Chelsea have been informed he is not for sale by Leipzig.

Conte’s charges have already been frustrated in their attempts to sign Alessandro Bastoni of Inter Milan and could be set to miss out on Gvardiol as well.

What has O’Rourke said about Gvardiol?

O’Rourke believes Gvardiol is a player who is admired at Hotspur Way, but that Leipzig are ‘trying to price him out of a move’ at this moment in time.

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He told GiveMeSport: “He fits the bill; he’s among their top targets. The problem for Tottenham is that RB Leipzig do not want to sell the Croatia international, and they are trying to price him out of a move.

“So, this one might just be too expensive for Tottenham this season, but he’s a left-sided centre-back who’s young with huge potential to become a big, big player in the future as well.”

Would Gvardiol be a good signing?

Gvardiol, who is valued at £103m by CIES, enjoyed an outstanding 2021/22 campaign for Leipzig, racking up five goal contributions in 45 appearances as they claimed the DFB-Pokal. And his underlying numbers were equally as impressive.

As per FBref, the youngster ranked in the 99th percentile for completed dribbles, 97th for interceptions and progressive passes, and 94th for progressive carries amongst his positional peers over the last year.

It seems as though Gvardiol may be out of Tottenham’s reach in the current transfer window, but he’s surely a player who the capital club’s hierarchy will be keeping a close eye on.