Transfer profile: Joško Gvardiol

Transfer profile: Joško Gvardiol

By Jonny Bray
Croatian defender Joško Gvardiol has been linked with a move to Arsenal over the last week. 
The versatile youngster has also been connected with a transfer to Tottenham and Manchester City after a successful second season with RB Leipzig. 
Gvardiol started playing football at the age of seven before coming through the ranks at GNK Dinamo Zagreb's academy. 
The 20-year-old was one of the fastest rising stars at the Croatian club in many years and soon earned a move to German side RB Leipzig.
His first season at Leipzig was spent out on loan back at Zagreb, making 23 appearances and scoring two goals before the defender made 29 appearances for his new side in the Bundesliga last term, scoring twice more and continuing his progress as a player. 
The Croatian now looks set to be on the move again, but what would he bring to Arsenal, and who could the Gunners sign instead if the deal falls through? 

What would Gvardiol bring to Arsenal? 

Takehiro Tomiyasu defied expectations during his first season at The Emirates, but Gvardiol would arrive in North London with a big reputation. 
His ability to play both centre-back and left-back has drawn comparisons with Real Madrid's David Alaba and while the versatile 20-year-old can play across the back four, he is best suited to centre-back.
Adept with the ball at his feet, at worst he would add some serious depth to this Arsenal squad, but at best, he could prove to be a more attacking alternative to Tomiyasu or a more technical alternative as a left-sided centre-back. 
Despite his dribbling ability and outstanding passing , Gvardiol is also a physical presence.
At 6ft1, he is a threat from set pieces, and during his time in Croatian top flight he learnt how to use his body and strength to keep possession. 

Who could Arsenal sign instead? 

Arsenal have been looking for a defender all summer and need to find a new target after Lisandro Martínez's move to Manchester United. 
The club appear to be on the hunt for versatility after Arteta struggled to respond to some poorly timed injuries at the end of last season. 
Bayer Leverkusen defender Edmond Tapsoba has been linked with a move to The Emirates, as has Southampton full-back Kyle Walker-Peters. 
However, both players are not as versatile as Gvardiol, with Tapsoba a domineering centre-back and Walker-Peters a flying full-back.

Conclusion 


Arsenal should sign Gvardiol. 
He is an exciting young talent with insane potential that could displace a few players in Arteta's squad. 
Even if he doesn't, this Arsenal side desperately need more depth in defence, particularly at full-back, where the drop-off from Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney is huge. 
Arsenal are running out of options after Martínez's transfer to Manchester, so the club need to start moving quickly if they are going to find the right player.
Photo Credit: Getty Images 

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