Barcelona are keen on signing Manchester City defensive mainstay Josko Gvardiol, but striking a deal with Pep Guardiola’s team won’t be easy.
Barcelona are looking to reinforce their defence in the near future. While they have successfully reclaimed the top spot in La Liga and things are going according to plan for Hansi Flick’s team, they have not been at their best at the back.
As a result, they want to add a world-class defender to their mix, and according to Mundo Deportivo via Sport Witness, the Catalan giants have their eyes set on Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol. They consider him an ideal fit for their project, but striking a deal with the Premier giants won’t be that easy.
Gvardiol made a name for himself while playing for RB Leipzig. On the back of his impressive performances, Manchester City secured his services in the summer of 2023. The Croatian international has only gone from strength to strength since joining the English club.
While the 23-year-old prefers playing in the heart of the defence, he has been equally effective out wide on the left flank for Guardiola’s team. Josko Gvardiol is an integral part of Manchester City’s long-term plans, and his contract there runs until the summer of 2028.
Barcelona’s pursuit of a new centre-back
Despite that, Barcelona are keen on securing Josko Gvardiol’s services, and they are plotting an audacious raid on the Premier League club. The Catalan giants are looking for a top-quality centre-back as the departure of Inigo Martinez has had a massive impact on their performances.
On top of that, Andreas Christensen’s contract is running out, and Ronald Araujo, who was struggling to get back to his best, has taken an indefinite break from football. As a result, signing a central defender will be a top priority for Barcelona next summer.
Given their financial situation, they will find it difficult to strike a deal with Manchester City and make room for him on their wage bill. If Pep Guardiola ends up leaving the English giants next summer, things could become a touch easier for Barcelona. But convincing City to sell one of their most important players will still be a difficult task.
