RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol does not have a €45m (£38.6m) release fee included in his contract, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Chelsea are believed to be among the frontrunners to sign the Croatian international and it was hoped that the existence of the buyout clause could help get a deal over the line. However, while Romano says that the Blues are still “working” on the deal, it is an open race:

Joško Gvardiol race, still open. He will get big transfer in 2023 — Chelsea are still working on the deal but there are other clubs interested, it’s not done yet… as Nkunku is. 🚨🇭🇷 #transfers

Been told release clause is not worth €45m.

More: https://t.co/rzq7LLfTdr pic.twitter.com/SekRNVnghI

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 2, 2022

It is important to point out that Romano does not say there isn’t a release clause, but that it isn’t as low as €45m. Some reports in the UK have mentioned it being around the €50m, although it’s probably higher than that.

Chelsea had a €90m offer for the 20-year-old turned down last summer, before the centre-back signed a contract extension, so it’s probably safe to say he won’t be sold for less than that figure in January or at the end of the season.