MCFC are interested in signing RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol but right now, there’s a whole lot of chaos and confusion regarding the 21-year-old’s move to the Premier League.
Manchester City have been locked in negotiations for the centre-back since the start of the summer and earlier this week, Fabrizio Romano had given this transfer a ‘Here we go’, suggesting that MCFC have wrapped up the deal.
However, it looks like Romano has been quick to draw a conclusion because The Daily Telegraph reporter James Ducker is claiming that no transfer fee has been agreed with Leipzig. Further, a report in 90Min is also suggesting that the two clubs are still locked in negotiations meaning a deal is far from sealed.
Lastly, RB Leipzig’s sporting director Max Eberl has made it clear that even though MCFC are interested in signing Josko Gvardiol but still, no agreement has been struck.
“The fact is Manchester City would like to have him, but currently we are very far apart,” Eberl told Sky Germany. “There is no agreement. Not even close.
“[Dominik] Szoboszlai’s transfer [to Liverpool] secured us financially, we don’t need money. We prefer Josko to stay.”
Will MCFC give on the signing of Josko Gvardiol?
Manchester City’s manager is desperate to add Josko Gvardiol to his squad before the new season begins but as things stand, they are not ready to meet Leipzig’s demands.
The 21-year-old defender’s current market value is €75 million but because his contract with Leipzig expires in 2027, the German side is valuing Gvardiol at €100 million.
This is going to be a record-breaking fee Manchester City will have to pay for a defensive signing but clearly, they are trying to bring this amount down with continuous negotiations.
We seriously doubt if Leipzig are going to give any sort of discounts so either MCFC will have to pay up or they will have to back off and find another target.
Josko Gvardiol wants to play under Pep Guardiola so it’s highly unlikely Manchester City will give up this chase and we have a feeling the Cityzens are waiting for Aymeric Laporte’s exit. The club’s planning to sell Laporte but they are yet to receive any formal offers which is why they are taking it slow and steady with the Leipzig defender.
A deal worth €100 million is going to make the 21-year-old the most expensive centre-back in history and in just two seasons in the Bundesliga, Gvardiol has become one of the best defenders in Europe. Some experts have serious doubts about paying €100 million for a 21-year-old but after winning an English treble last season, Pep Guardiola’s decision-making cannot be questioned too much.
Josko Gvardiol is pushing for an exit and this will also help Man City’s pursuit of the centre-back. MCFC are definitely not going to give up this chase and we are confident the Croatian international will move to the Etihad Stadium before the 2023/24 season begins.
