Revealed: Big update on Man City signing Josko Gvardiol
Man City remain optimistic about securing the signing of Josko Gvardiol this summer despite conflicting reports on negotiations with RB Leipzig, sources have told Football Insider.
Football Insider first revealed earlier last month (9 June) that City had opened initial talks with the German outfit over a deal for the 21-year-old.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano claimed earlier this week (19 July) that both clubs had reached an agreement on a fee for Gvardiol.
However, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News (21 July), RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl has declared that an agreement is “not even close”.
Eberl suggested the mega-money fee received for Dominik Szoboszlai’s transfer to Liverpool has secured Leipzig financially, meaning the German side “don’t need the money” for Gvardiol.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Man City remain “optimistic” of agreeing a deal for the Croatia international.
Leipzig are holding out for top dollar after the summer sales of Szoboszlai and Christoper Nkunku – with Gvardiol’s contract length putting the ball firmly in their court.
His deal runs until June 2027 after signing a bumper extension last year (2022).
According to Sky Sports (19 May), Gvardiol has a release clause of almost £100million as part of that deal – but it doesn’t become active until the summer of 2024.
The centre-back, who starred at the World Cup in Qatar, turned out 41 times across all competitions for DFB-Pokal winners Leipzig in the 2022-23 campaign.
Despite his tender age, the former Dinamo Zagreb star has already racked up 139 senior appearances and has played 31 times in European competitions.
In other news, Man City turn attention to signing another RB Leipzig star.