Manchester City are pushing to complete a deal with RB Leipzig for defender Josko Gvardiol.
Graeme Bailey of 90mins reports that City feel a deal is close, with just the structure of payments between the clubs needing to be resolved.
Manchester City pushing hard to finalise Josko Gvardiol agreement.
Deal is close between the two clubs but not done. Personal terms are finalised.
City want deal done before their pre-season tour in Asia.@90min_Football https://t.co/rfEK92hVXS
— Graeme Bailey (@GraemeBailey) July 6, 2023
Also reported by Bailey is that Manchester City would have to pay the German club a sum that would make Gvardiol the most expensive defender in world football. RB Leipzig director Max Eberl has publicly stated that the German club want €100 million (£86 million) for their prized asset.
Bailey adds to his report that there is an expectation from both clubs that the deal will be complete in time for the Croatian defender to join Manchester City on their pre-season tour of Asia.
As reported by BBC Sport, Gvardiol has told his club that he wants a move to Manchester City. Meanwhile, Fabrizio Romano has reported that personal terms have been agreed upon between Gvardiol and City.
Understand Manchester City has now agreed personal terms with Joško Gvardiol 🚨🔵 #MCFC
Pep Guardiola rates Joško highly.
Talks will take place between clubs; RB Leipzig hope to keep Gvardiol, won’t sell for less than €100m.
Leipzig want Joško to be most expensive CB ever. pic.twitter.com/aRpzjKnzHb
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 24, 2023
With the Gvardiol deal edging closer to completion, Manchester City are closing in on one of their primary targets this transfer window.
Gvardiol is only 21 but already has a wealth of big-game experience, having started all seven of Croatia’s games at last year’s FIFA World Cup.
He has also featured in 88 first-team matches for RB Leipzig over the past two seasons.
He is naturally left-footed, making him an ideal alternative to Aymeric Laporte as a left-sided centre-back. But he, like Nathan Ake, is versatile enough to also be an option at left-back.
