Tottenham aren't known for being big spenders – yet they could smash a world-record to bring Josko Gvardiol to London
(Image credit: Adam Pretty - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Tottenham could land Josko Gvardiol and smash the world record for a defender, activating the Croatian's £96 million release clause.
That's the incredible claim from one report that suggests that the Lilywhites – whose fans have been rather vocal of late about the lack of investment into Antonio Conte's playing squad – are one of a number of clubs looking to land Gvardiol, who starred at the World Cup in Qatar last month.
The defender is still just 20 years old and was rumoured to be the subject of an eye-watering £75m bid from Chelsea last summer. Since then, he's signed an extension to his RB Leipzig deal, keeping him in the Bundesliga until someone activates a mammoth release clause of around €100m.
Tottenham's current transfer record stands at around £60m – which the north Londoners spent on Richarlison (Image credit: David Rogers/Getty Images)
BILD claims that despite interest from more frivolous spenders, Tottenham are surprise contenders to land the Croatian centre-back – but that Antonio Conte's future remains key to any move.
Transfer insider Dean Jones believes the current uncertainty around how long the manager will remain at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium could scupper the chances of Gvardiol moving, with Jones telling GiveMeSport,“Essentially, we need to see how this season plays out first.”
“See whether Antonio Conte stays in charge.” he says. “See whether Fabio Paratici is still pulling the strings and can make something like this happen.
“It’s always been a case that Tottenham have had an interest in him.”
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Tottenham Hotspur head coach Antonio Conte has asked to be backed in the transfer market by his employers (Image credit: Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
It would seem unlikely that Tottenham would spend quite so much on a player but with rumours of Middle Eastern investment, the north Londoners could be set to spend more to overhaul their squad under Conte.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
