Manchester City reaches agreement with Gvardiol, Leipzig demands €100 million
Manchester City’s pursuit of young defender Gvardiol is nearing a positive outcome for the English club. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, a renowned transfer specialist, the reigning European champions have reached an agreement with the 21-year-old player, finalizing all contract terms and other details.
However, a challenging aspect remains: reaching an agreement with RB Leipzig. As per Romano, the German team demands a minimum of €100 million to negotiate the defender, who stood out in the last World Cup and has age on his side, increasing his market value.
Initially, Leipzig intended to keep the player for another season, as Gvardiol is contracted with them until 2027. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola sees Gvardiol as a crucial addition to the team and is currently engaging in direct negotiations with Leipzig.
A defensive reinforcement for City
Fabrizio Romano highlights that the Germans aim to make the Croatian the most expensive defender in football history, surpassing the €87 million fee paid by Manchester United for Harry Maguire in 2019. Gvardiol impressed as part of Croatia’s squad during last year’s World Cup, delivering standout performances, including against Brazil in the quarter-finals.
However, he missed the final stages of the UEFA Nations League this month due to injury. This transfer window appears to be a busy one for Manchester City. The club, set to face key departures such as Gundogan and Bernardo Silva, is already active in pursuing players who can maintain or even elevate the team’s level, such as West Ham midfielder Declan Rice.
Germany’s “Sky Sport” reports that Manchester City has made an initial offer, albeit not meeting the desired terms by the German side.
The upcoming proposal is expected to include higher values to satisfy Leipzig’s requirements. Manchester City is planning significant reinforcements to maintain their position at the top in the upcoming season, following their remarkable achievements in the recently concluded season.
