Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol wants to join Manchester City, according to the sporting director of the centre-back's current club RB Leipzig.
The 21-year-old enjoyed a second impressive season in Leipzig, helping the team secure a third place finish in the Bundesliga after Marco Rose took over from Domenico Tedesco in the dugout. He also scored against City in the Champions League, with Leipzig drawing 1-1 at home before suffering a 7-0 loss at the Etihad Stadium.
Gvardiol would set City back £86m, topping the sums paid by Premier League clubs for Harry Maguire and Virgil van Dijk. One obstacle appears to have been cleared, though, if comments from Leipzig chief Max Eberl are to be believed.
“Gvardiol and his agents gave us their desire to move to Manchester City. We are in talks with City,” Eberl said, as quoted by The Times.
“Yes, for €100 million plus bonuses, Gvardiol will end up in Pep’s strong hands. The value of the deal would make Gvardiol the most expensive defender in history. But it might take a few more days.”
Gvardiol, who made his competitive debut for Dinamo Zagreb as a 17-year-old, has made 88 Leipzig appearances across two seasons as a member of their first-team squad. He also has two goals in 23 senior Croatia outings, and played for his country during their run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.
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Leipzig have already brought in more than £100m in transfer fees ahead of the 2023-24 season. Christopher Nkunku finally completed his move to Chelsea after work on the deal began last term, while Dominik Szoboszlai is now a Liverpool player after the Premier League side met his £60m release clause.
"From the clubs he has been at, the leagues he has played in and the family he is part of, it is very clear that he has already had an outstanding football education, so our responsibility now is to continue this education with him as part of the Liverpool family," Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said.
"Everything about this is good news and I am very grateful to everyone at the club who has contributed to making it happen. This is a signing for our present and also for our future and the work that has gone into it could not be more appreciated."
Szoboszlai himself has hailed his new club after making the move. “[A] really historic club, really good players, good coach, everything is good," he said. "For me it was perfect to make the next step in a club like this. The fans, the stadium, everything is really good.”
