Man City backed to complete ‘massive’ Josko Gvardiol deal after update – pundit
Kevin Campbell has backed Man City to sign highly-rated young centre-back Josko Gvardiol amid links with the RB Leipzig starlet.
The former Arsenal striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 20-year-old could be part of the emerging “young core” at the Etihad Stadium – alongside Phil Foden and new faces Kalvin Phillips and Erling Haaland.
According to the Daily Mail (11 July), Gvardiol is among Man City’s top defensive targets but a deal is unlikely to be struck this summer.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have been linked with a potential move for City’s backup defender Nathan Ake this summer.
Gvardiol, who only joined Leipzig in the summer of 2021, made 45 appearances across all competitions and lifted the DFB-Pokal last season.
Campbell backed Pep Guardiola to sign the youngster as the Spaniard looks to find a “big player for the future” to lead his defence.
“I think it’s a good move,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“If you’re going to get a centre-back in, you get a young one to complement the likes of Phillips, Haaland, and Foden.
“There’s a new, young core emerging at Man City. You get Gvardiol, you bed him in, let him learn the ways of Pep Guardiola – and hopefully, he’s a big player for the future.”
Gvardiol, who is contracted until 2026 at Leipzig, is already a 10-time Croatia international despite his tender age.
The youngster would likely be behind Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, and John Stones if he were to join Man City.
Guardiola’s side have already bolstered their squad with the additions of Julian Alvarez, Phillips, and Haaland this summer.
In other news, pundit issues emphatic Phil Foden claim as Man City close in on £62.4million deal.