Manchester City have opened talks with Josko Gvardiol ahead of a possible move, with the Croat emerging as a key target for Pep Guardiola.
According to The Secret Scout, Manchester City are prioritising a move for Josko Gvardiol. The Premier League champions have already opened discussions with the 21-year-old centre-back’s representatives and may have to pay big for the defender, whose market value is €75 million.
Josko Gvardiol was always expected to make a big leap from Bundesliga to one of the top clubs in England or Spain. The Croatian defender, whose market value is €75 million, could cost more in the current scenario, with a host of clubs willing to cough up.
Gvardiol was big on signing for Chelsea last summer, but the two clubs could not agree on a fee. The 21-year-old centre-back was yet again linked with the Stamford Bridge outfit but decided to stay with RB Leipzig for the rest of the season.
With the long-term contract in place, Leipzig are set to demand a significant fee for the 21-year-old centre-back in the summer window. Chelsea, Real Madrid and Liverpool were all credited with an interest. But for most of them, the priorities have changed.
🚨 Understand Man City have made Joško Gvardiol one of the key players to sign at centre-back this summer.
The club have spoken with the players representatives who is keen to join.
Both confident deal will be done this summer #MCFC pic.twitter.com/lM4XwtuZzh
— TheSecretScout (@TheSecretScout_) May 31, 2023
Only a handful of clubs can afford his possible €75 million price tag. Liverpool have since cooled their interest, while the 21-year-old centre-back may shy away from Chelsea as he wants Champions League football.
That leaves Manchester City and Real Madrid as the potential contenders, with the former currently leading the chase. Pep Guardiola will look to sign a new left-sided centre-back as the club might lose Aymeric Laporte in the summer.
Gvardiol could become the natural successor to the Spaniard, and Manchester City are ready to pay what it takes to bring the Croat to the Etihad. Meanwhile, the club have reportedly opened discussions with the 21-year-old centre-back’s representatives as they look to begin operations to sign him.
As per the report, Gvardiol is keen to join Manchester City and continue his promising career there. It will come across as a big coup for Manchester City in their efforts to maintain their levels at the top of the game. He will come at a big cost, but this could prove an astute piece of investment.