Mercato: Manchester City on course for record transfer!
After signing Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, Manchester City is well on the way to recruiting another Croatian international in Josko Gvardiol, Leipzig's talented left-sided central defender. A transfer worth over €100 million.
After completing a historic treble, including the first Champions League title in their history, Manchester City are looking to strengthen their squad at the mercato to stay on top next season. The Skyblues have lost captain Ilkay Gündogan, who reached the end of his contract and opted to join Barça. But Mateo Kovacic, who had just one year left on his contract at Chelsea, quickly replaced him.
Josko Gvardiol, a talented 21-year-old Croatian central defender who has been with Leipzig for the past two years, is the other hot commodity in the Manchester City transfer market. Manchester City have been courting him for months and have already reached an agreement with him, according to a number of corroborating sources. In an interview with German media outlet Leipziger Volkszeitung, Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl gave an update on the case.
Manchester City are in advanced talks with RB Leipzig to sign centre-back Josko Gvardiol ⏳ pic.twitter.com/yCqiu0bWDC
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 3, 2023
Gvardiol, soon the most expensive defender in history?
"Gvardiol and his agents have informed us of their desire to join Manchester City. We are in talks with City," confirmed Eberl, before adding: "Yes, for €100 million plus bonuses, Gvardiol will end up in Pep's hands. The amount of the transaction would make Gvardiol the most expensive defender in history. But it could still take a few days".
Third in the last German championship, Leipzig lost Konrad Laimer this summer, who had reached the end of his contract and joined Bayern Munich. The Red Bull club also sold Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea for €60m and Dominik Szoboszlai to Liverpool for €70m. Gvardiol could well be the next to sign in the Premier League for a huge fee.