Leeds United have been busy in the transfer market this week, landing Valencia forward Rodrigo in a club-record £27 million deal and also bringing in centre-back Robin Koch from Bundesliga side Freiburg.
The Whites are far from done, however. The centre of defence remains an area in need of improvement, although the dream permanent signing of Ben White appears to be over with Brighton & Hove Albion turning down two bids for the 22-year-old, who may be handed a new contract.
As a result, Leeds are having to look elsewhere. Lazio defender Luiz Felipe has been linked, and now a new name has been mooted for a potential switch to Elland Road: Josko Gvardiol.
According to Italian reporter Fabrizio Romano, Leeds are in talks with Dinamo Zagreb over a move for the €20m-rated youngster.
But what could he bring to Marcelo Bielsa's side if a deal is agreed?
Gvardiol made his Dinamo debut as a 17-year-old, coming off the bench last October in a victory over Gorica. He would go on to score on his full league debut against Inter Zapresic the following month.
It was one of the easiest goals he’ll ever score, reacting quickest to tap home after the Inter goalkeeper failed to claim a corner, but it points to Gvardiol as a defender who is a threat from set-pieces.
He ended last season with nine starts and two substitute appearances in the Croatian top flight as Dinamo retained their title.
He had to wait until this season, however, for his European debut, coming off the bench during a 2-2 draw against CFR Cluj in the Champions League third qualifying round and keeping his cool to score in the ensuing penalty shoot-out with a powerful left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
The Croatian champions don’t play again in the competition until mid-September, so Leeds fans might not have another opportunity to see Gvardiol in action before a deal is completed, although he has been called up by Croatia Under-21 manager Igor Biscan for their upcoming fixtures.
While Gvardiol was not involved in last season’s Champions League group stage, in which Dinamo beat Atalanta and led against Manchester City, he was a big part of the club's Under-19s which has competed in the UEFA Youth League in recent years.
After featuring in the 2018/19 campaign as the Croatian side beat Liverpool in the last 16 and took Chelsea to penalties in the quarter-finals, he was a regular last term as Dinamo once again reached the last eight of the competition, beating established academy sides on the way.
He converted from the spot in a last-16 victory over Bayern Munich’s Under-19s, recovering from scoring an own goal in regulation time, and played the full 90 at centre-back as his team earned a 1-0 victory over a Manchester City side including the likes of Tommy Doyle and Adrian Bernabe.
While the UEFA Youth League isn’t at the same level as senior European competition, it does at least indicate he isn’t overawed by ‘name’ clubs and well-coached academy players with bright futures.
Watching footage of Gvardiol in action, be it for Dinamo’s Under-19s or the first team, it becomes clear he is a player who knows how to use his 6ft 1ins frame and natural athleticism.
He is confident in the air, but also willing to go to ground and use his long legs to get the better of quick and skilful attacking opponents, of which there are plenty in top European academies.
He also appears confident with ball at feet, whether that means carrying possession forward or distributing from deep, and has a good passing range, something that is required of a centre-back in a Bielsa side.
Gvardiol might not be vastly experienced, but the same could be said of White before his move to Elland Road, and that worked out for both player and club.
While it may take time for the 18-year-old to adjust to a new league and new responsibilities, he has already shown enough quality to be trusted by a team whose fans expect them to win.
That wouldn’t have happened if he didn’t already prove he has the goods to step up to a high level of football, and his age means there’s plenty of room to grow even more.
