The Athletic.

The 21-year-old defender, Yosko Gvardiol, is a young man in very high demand.

Described as the best centreback in the world by his international manager during Croatia's run to the World Cup semi-finals,

the R.B. Leipzig mask defender is firmly in the sight of football's European

Giants. So, who is leading the race for his signature this summer? Who needs him most and just

how good is he? And Mark Chapman, welcome to the Athletic Football Podcast.

Another ball into the box And this time they get the equalizer

Gvardial was forward

In Leipzig they've been calling him

the Erling Harland of centrebacks

And I think they've got a generational talent on their hands.

I think that Brownlee hasn't paid those kind of fees for a defender ever in their history.

Realistically, how many players could they sign?

When we spoke to Biscan last year, he thought I moved to the Premier League would be too early

for Gradiole right now.

Messi held up by Gradio.

Messi away from Gordiol, Argentina, all but in the final.

These two players are going to be the most talked about, or two of the most talked about

for this summer window for sure.

So with us for this one, the Athletics Chelsea correspondent Simon Johnson and Paul Ballas

who covers La Liga and Barcelona and has also covered Manchester City for us.

Before we talk to them both and really get into the race to sign him,

...