Chelsea's chances of completing a deal for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol before Thursday's deadline are fading.
The Blues were in talks with the Bundesliga outfit over a fee in the region of £75million for Gvardiol, in a move that would have seen the centre back loaned back to Leipzig for the rest of the season before arriving at Stamford Bridge in 2023.
However, Sportsmail sources have indicated that the idea has ultimately arrived too late for Leipzig to sanction their star defender's departure.
Gvardiol is still just 20 years of age, but has already made a significant impact at Leipzig since joining the club last year.