Manchester City is intensifying their pursuit of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig, as per Fabrizio Romano. But the German club has set a hefty price tag for the highly talented Croatian defender.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has been greatly impressed by the 21-year-old center-back. He has showcased his skills at the previous World Cup and impressed everyone. Reports indicate that City has initiated contact with the representatives of Gvardiol to explore the possibility of a transfer. However, Leipzig is standing firm on their valuation of €100 million (£85.77m) for the player.
The promising defender featured in 41 matches for Leipzig last season. He even found the net against City in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash, although Leipzig ultimately suffered an 8-1 aggregate defeat.
Versatile and strong Gvardiol is ideal for City
Gvardiol’s versatility as a left central defender, capable of performing well in both three- and four-man defensive setups. He perfectly aligns with Guardiola’s requirements, particularly given the potential departure of Aymeric Laporte. With 21 international caps and a goal for Croatia, Gvardiol brings valuable experience to the table.
As per BBC Sport, Gvardiol is already looking forward to working with Pep and asked his representatives to push for a move to City. City with Gvardiol looks to be set for years to come in the backline.
Should the deal materialize, the transfer fee for Gvardiol could surpass the £80 million paid by Manchester United for Harry Maguire in 2019, making him the world’s most expensive defender. Manchester City looking for Gvardiol demonstrates their willingness to invest significantly in securing top talent for their squad.
Meanwhile, the fans of City are excited with this news as they look forward to seeing him play for the Blues. City are also looking to cash in from their Champions League success. They are looking to build a squad for the future.
