Sources: Man City climb hurdles to close in on Gvardiol deal
Man City believe they have the finances to force through a deal for RB Leipzig star Josko Gvardiol, sources have told Football Insider.
Football Insider revealed on Friday (21 July) that City remain optimistic about signing the 21-year-old this summer despite conflicting reports on negotiations.
It had been suggested a deal was close, but RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl has recently gone public to refute those claims.
Eberl suggested Leipzig are financially secure following the sales of Dominik Szoboszlai and Christopher Nkunku, meaning the German side “don’t need the money” for Gvardiol.
The Croatia international is a “top priority” for Man City boss Pep Guardiola, sources say, and the treble-winners will therefore continue to attempt to test the German club’s resolve.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Citizens transfer chiefs are confident of overcoming the stumbling blocks and hold-ups in negotiations and bringing Gvardiol to the Etihad Stadium.
The defender’s RB Leipzig deal runs until June 2027 after signing a bumper extension last year (2022).
Gvardiol, who starred at the World Cup in Qatar, turned out 41 times across all competitions for the DFB-Pokal winners in the 2022-23 campaign.
He has already racked up 139 senior appearances and has extensive experience in European competitions.
Guardiola is keen to add another top-class centre-back option despite already having the likes of Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji on the books.
City often lined up with three central defenders last term, while Stones was used in a defensive midfield role.
In other news, Man City exodus lands £115m jackpot – £14m more on the way.