Chelsea are attempting to steal a march on their rivals in the pursuit of RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol.
Sportsmail understands the two clubs are in talks about a £77million deal that will see Chelsea sign the highly-rated Croatia defender before Thursday’s transfer deadline but loan him back to the German side for the season ahead of his arrival at Stamford Bridge next summer.
Chelsea have been among the clubs to have shown an interest in the 20 year-old this summer along with the likes of Manchester City and Tottenham.
Gvardiol has featured prominently on the list of defenders Chelsea have been after but Leipzig have been adamant he is not for sale.