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Josko Gvardiol to Leeds United: Whites 'out of race' for defender despite fee being agreed

Leeds United are still moving forward with their transfer business, with two more signings targeted before the window shuts.

The Whites claimed their first win of the new season with a dramatic 4-3 win over Fulham on Saturday, in another thrilling match involving Marcelo Bielsa's side.

Record signing Rodrigo made his first Premier League start for Leeds against the Cottagers, while fellow new boy Robin Koch kept his place in the side following his debut at Anfield against Liverpool a week earlier.

However, Leeds are keen to add another centre-back to their ranks to complement Liam Cooper and Koch.

The club have been heavily linked with Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol.

Below we take a look at all the transfer news and rumours around a potential deal for the teenage sensation as it has come in since Leeds' first interest emerged.

Beren Cross on Leeds 4-3 Fulham

Leeds out the race for Gvardiol

According to well-connected Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Leeds are now out of the race for the defender.

He reports that alhough Leeds and Dinamo were able to agree a fee, the player himself refused Leeds' last contract offer, with Sportske Novotski reporting he has instead opted to join RB Leipzig.

Gvardiol bid 'failed'

Leeds United have failed in their attempts to sign Dinamo Zagreb defender Josko Gvardiol, Tportal reports.

The Whites had reportedly offered a fee of €22m plus 20 per cent of his next transfer fee.

While Dinamo would have welcomed that fee, Gvardiol himself has declined the move in order to stay with the Croatian side.

Whites' fresh bid - but Leipzig also in for him

Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that Marcelo Bielsa's side have submitted a €22m (£20m) bid to sign the highly-rated 18-year-old.

It is also reported that Zagreb would be owed 20 per cent of any future sale, as part of the offer.

Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig, renowned for buying young prospects and developing them before shifting them on for profit, are also in the hunt for the teenager as they look to mount another Champions League challenge.

However, it's stated that the German outfit are offering just €15m - significantly less than the €25m fee that Dinamo Zagreb are looking for.

Whites open talks with Zagreb

Leeds have opened discussions with Dinamo Zagreb about the prospect of signing 18-year-old defender Gvardiol.

That is according to a report by the Daily Mail. The Croatian Under-21 international has been attracting interest from a plethora of big-name European clubs in recent months, including Bayern Munich.

With that in mind, it is easy to understand why Leeds would be so keen on signing him.

Zagreb name their price

Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that Dinamo Zagreb want around €20million to let go of Gvardiol this summer.

Should Leeds steam ahead with a deal to sign the youngster it would see their summer spending reach figures of around £60million, once again demonstrating their desire to make a name for themselves back in the Premier League.

Social media hints

With speculation growing over a move to Elland Road this summer, the player himself has sent a couple of hints that a transfer could be on the cards.

Whites' fans have been asking the player via his Instagram account if he will be arriving at the club.

And his response may just have given his answer, with fans noticing that the defender has 'liked' a number of the queries from Leeds fans.

Eagle-eyed fans have also noticed that the player has followed the club's official Instagram account.

Could the player be giving a hint that a move to Leeds is close?

Big-money offer tabled

We are now getting to the point when the transfer of Gvardiol is potentially getting very close.

Football Insider are reporting that the Whites have offered a long-term deal to the centre-back.

The talks to sign Gvardiol are 'progressing well' and there is a belief that the defender could sign before the new season begins.

Champions League impact

Leeds hopes of securing Gvardiol's signature could be significantly boosted after Dinamo Zagreb crashed out of the Champions League at the qualifying stage.

The defender played all 90 minutes but was unable to prevent his current employers losing 2-1 to Hungarian side Ferencvarosi.

Leeds will be hoping Zagreb's lack of European football could help grease the wheels for Gvardiol to move to Elland Road.

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