Liverpool and Manchester United have submitted bids for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol, according to reports.
Gvardiol, 21, was thought to be on the verge of a move to Manchester City earlier this month. But RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl insisted there was no agreement between the German club and the Premier League champions.
In a turn of events, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea have arrived on the scene as the race for the Croatian's signature heats up.
According to Spanish publication Fichajes, all three English clubs are placed on red alert and have even 'submitted offers' to try and hijack the defender's move to the Etihad.
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The report adds that City remain firm favourites to sign Gvardiol, but the competition is 'fierce'.
Leipzig are reluctant to see their prized asset leave the club having already lost Dominik Szoboszlai to Liverpool this summer, but have reportedly set a €100 (£86m) price tag for Gvardiol.
Gvardiol's 'dream club' revealed
Indeed, Liverpool may have a slender advantage in the race for his signature if his previous comments are anything to go by.
Speaking to TV channel RTLDanas in January, Gvardiol revealed Liverpool was his "dream club".
"My dream club? That would definitely be Liverpool," said Gvardiol. "Since I was little, I watched a lot of their matches with my dad.
"We covered every season in detail. It is a club that has remained in my heart."
Gvardiol announced himself on the world stage at the World Cup in Qatar, helping his side to a third-place finish at the tournament.
Speaking after his side's goalless draw against Belgium, which sealed their place in the knockout rounds, Croatia boss Zlatko Dalic labelled him the "best centre-back in the world".
“Josko Gvardiol is the best centre-back in the world," he said.
"To play this maturely, it’s amazing. The way he plays, with the elegance he carries the ball,” he added.
Topics: Liverpool, Manchester United, Transfers, Football, Premier League, RB Leipzig, Josko Gvardiol, Bundesliga
Joe Adams