Manchester City seeks Josko Gvardiol, despite Leipzig's €100 million fee
Posted : 27 June 2023
Manchester City is actively pursuing the signing of RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol, a talented Croatian defender. However, RB Leipzig is demanding a fee of at least 100 million euros (£85.77 million) for the 21-year-old center-back.
City manager Pep Guardiola holds a high regard for Gvardiol, who impressed during the World Cup last year. According to sources, City has initiated contact with Gvardiol's representatives to explore a potential transfer.
Gvardiol currently has a release clause exceeding 110 million euros (£94.35 million), which can only be activated in the following summer. This indicates that Leipzig is unwilling to allow him to depart a year early for a significantly lower sum.
In the previous season, Gvardiol made 41 appearances for Leipzig and even scored against Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter, despite Leipzig ultimately losing the tie 8-1 on aggregate.
The Croatian defender has also earned 21 caps for his national team and contributed a goal in their third-place playoff victory over Morocco in Qatar.
It is believed that Gvardiol's versatility in the left central defensive position, suitable for both three-man and four-man defensive systems, makes him an ideal candidate for Guardiola's requirements, particularly with the potential departure of Spanish international Aymeric Laporte.
If a deal for Gvardiol materializes, it could potentially surpass the £80 million fee paid by Manchester United for Harry Maguire in 2019, making Gvardiol the world's most expensive defender.
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