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Josko Gvardiol has explained why he did not join Leeds United this summer

Mathew Nash

Wed 30 September 2020 7:15, UK

♈One of Leeds United’s transfer targets this summer was Josko Gvardiol. In fact, at one point, it seemed the Dinamo Zagreb youngster was on the cusp of becoming a Leeds player. 

⛄However, no deal never came to fruition and Gvardiol signed on with German side RB Leipzig this week. 🌊 the Croatian teenager has cost the Bundesliga club a figure in the region of £17.5 million and Leeds have potentially missed out on a move for one of Europe’s top young defenders. 

🧸He will spend the 2020-21 season on loan at Dinamo and it seems that was a key reason behind his decision not to head to Elland Road and join the German side. 

🐻Speaking to the press in his homeland he admitted he was not yet ready to play in the Premier League and felt another season at Dinamo would be beneficial to his development. 

ℱ“The reason was that they (Leipzig) gave me an option to stay at Dinamo for a bit longer,” Gvardiol told the press in Croatia, as𓄧 “I think it was too early to go to England, one of the strongest leagues in the world. Staying at Dinamo will contribute to my development in general.”

♕Leeds United fans will no doubt be disappointed to have missed out on Gvardiol but the teenager has to be commended for his decision. 

🌊Simply put, Gvardiol did not believe he was yet ready to play in the English top-flight, and Leeds, seemingly, wanted him as the main back-up to Robin Koch and Liam Cooper at Elland Road. 

♏Gvardiol was honest with himself and decided that such a role was premature and has instead made a move he feels is beneficial to his career. 

🔴Leeds have since moved on and signed the vastly more experienced Diego Llorente from Real Sociedad. 

𒀰But there is no doubt that the Whites will be continuing to keep tabs on Gvardiol’s progress in Croatia and Germany going forward.