Arsenal ‘lead Josko Gvardiol transfer race after submitting bid for RB Leipzig star as Tottenham and Man City circle’

ARSENAL are the frontrunners to sign RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol, according to reports.

The 20-year-old Croatian has been linked with a number of Premier League sides including Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United.

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United now appear to be out of the running as they close in on Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez.

But, according to Fabrizio Romano, Man City remain interested as they fear Chelsea could pinch Nathan Ake.

Spurs are thought to still be monitoring Gvardiol’s situation.

And outside of Europe, Napoli are being linked as they search for a Kalidou Koulibaly replacement as he prepares to join Chelsea.

However, Media Foot are reporting that Arsenal lead the way in their pursuit of Gvardiol.

It comes after it emerged on Thursday that Juventus are eyeing up a move for Gunners centre-half Gabriel.

The Italian giants are preparing a part-swap deal which could include either Arthur or Adrien Rabiot.

That will put Mikel Arteta on high alert as Juventus can offer what Arsenal cannot over the next 12 months in the form of Champions League football.

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As a result, they are keen to line up a move for the talented Gvardiol to come to the Emirates.

The Croat only joined Leipzig at the beginning of the 2021/22 campaign, moving from Dinamo Zagreb for around £13.5million.

He made 46 appearances in all competitions last season, keeping 10 clean sheets from 29 Bundesliga matches.