Former Manchester United manager David Moyes believes Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol is going to become a “super” player.
The 20-year-old centre-back, who plays his club football for Bundesliga giants Red Bull Leipzig, has been one of the standout performers at the World Cup.
Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils are ‘highly involved’ in the race to sign the left-footed defender, who is rapidly becoming one of the most sought-after centre-backs in European football, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.
United’s former interim manager Ralf Rangnick recommended the former Dinamo Zagreb centre-half to the twenty-time league champions, the Manchester Evening News reported.
But despite The Telegraph reporting back in June that Gvardiol was on United’s radar, interest from the Reds went no further.
Former Manchester United manager David Moyes raves about Croatia centre-back Josko Gvardiol
While previewing the World Cup quarter-finals in an article with The Times, Moyes labelled Gvardiol “outstanding” and predicted the Croatian would be playing in the Premier League in the next couple of years.
Moyes said: “I picked out Gvardiol as one of the talents to watch at this tournament and he really is going to be a super player.
“He was Croatia’s left back at Euro 2020 but is probably going to play most of his career at left centre back, where we’re seeing him here.
“He came through the Red Bull system, and they excel at picking out new talents from eastern Europe. I’ll be amazed if he doesn’t come to the Premier League in the next couple of years.”
Like Moyes, Rio Ferdinand has also been impressed with what he’s seen from Gvardiol in Qatar.
The former United centre-back said Gvardiol was his favourite centre-back at the tournament and said he had a “wand” of a left foot.
Gvardiol is likely going to have to produce the match of his life if Croatia are going to have any chance of upsetting Brazil in the last-eight.
But if he does shine in the biggest match of his career, then his valuation and stock will be at a record high.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
