RB Leipzig boss delivers hammer blow to Premier League clubs chasing Josko Gvardiol

His comments come as a hammer blow to Premier League clubs vying for his signature with Chelsea and Manchester City, who he scored against on Wednesday night, believed to be in the race.

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The 21-year-old is valued at over £100 million, according to Forbes, and has expressed his desire to move to England but Rose believes Leipzig will be able to turn down any advances from cash-rich Premier League sides this summer.

"Josko Gvardiol will be an RB Leipzig player next season as well," said Rose. "I am the coach and I am asking for that. He is happy here. He said he wants to play in the Premier League but he didn't say when."

Gvardiol was one of the standout players at the World Cup, helping Croatia to a third-place finish in Qatar.

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He headed a crucial equaliser in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with Manchester City to set up a evenly-poised second leg at the Etihad Stadium next month.

Leipzig slapped a £98m release clause in his contract that expires in the summer of 2027, leaving the Bundesliga outfit with the upper hand on any imminent offers.

Should the Croatian move for that fee, he would instantly become the world's most expensive defender, eclipsing Harry Maguire's £80m move from Leicester to Manchester United in 2019.

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Manchester United are believed to be keeping tabs on Gvardiol with the Croatian star part of Erik ten Hag's seven-man transfer shortlist last summer, according to The Times. United opted for the £56.7m signing of Argentine World Cup winner Lisandro Martinez last summer.

However, Chelsea's policy of recruiting Europe's best young talents on long-term contracts could see Gvardiol subject of their next swoop. Liverpool have also been linked with Gvardiol, who grew up a Reds fan.