'Amazing' - Summer target admits Leeds visit and daily Bielsa talks before failed move

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Published on:

07 Feb 2021, 2:00 pm

Josko Gvardiol has admitted to visiting Elland Road and having daily conversations with Marcelo Bielsa before turning down a switch to Leeds United.

The Croatian enforcer instead sealed a move to RB Leipzig, before returning to Dinamo Zagreb on loan until the end of this season.

Gvardiol has claimed that he was certain on joining Leeds after a meeting with the club but felt the same after visiting Germany and Leipzig.

Speaking to the A1 Football Podcast, via Leeds Live, Gvardiol shared just how close he was to sealing a move to Elland Road.

"Bielsa personally, as well as the people from the club, called me on daily basis,” he said.

"It was amazing. I couldn't believe such a big club and a great manager like him would consider me for their team. And it was always my dream to play in England too.

"It was during the summertime. I came there, and they've presented me with a great video presentation of my skills, both defensive and attacking ones.

"And I was like 'Wow, they've really nailed this. I'm moving to Leeds.' But then, I've had the same feeling after meeting at RBL."

Leeds reportedly had an offer accepted from Zagreb and this latest admission makes it seem as though the move was on the verge of completion.

The Whites could have done with an extra defender this season, with Robin Koch, Diego Llorente and Liam Cooper all having spells on the sideline injured.

Gvardiol has completed every minute of Zagreb's Europa League campaign this season, and impressed, even scoring in the 3-1 win over CSKA Moscow.

This would have been an impressive signing, but we're hoping that Llorente can return and nail his spot down after this month.

In other Leeds United news, many Whites fans blown away by ace 'too good for U23s'

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Josko Gvardiol