Manchester City have reached a world record agreement with RB Leipzig to sign highly-rated Croatian center-back Josko Gvardiol.
The Premier League champions have reportedly agreed to pay the £90m asking price from RB Leipzig for Josko Gvardiol.
The completion of the deal will see the Premier League champions overtake Manchester United’s record signing of Harry Maguire from Leicester City.
Manchester United held the record for the most expensive defender signing in football after signing Harry Maguire for £80m.
Now, Manchester City are set to break the record when the deal for Josko Gvardiol is completed.
Personal terms with Gvardiol has already been agreed, including with RB Leipzig. Gvardiol will now travel to City for his medical to take up a new challenge with the Premier League and European champions.
It is understood the signing of Gvardiol will be a big buffer for Manchester City who are set to lose top defender Kyle Walker this summer as the England closes in on Etihad exit.
Futballnews understands Kyle Walker has reached agreement on a two year contract with Bundesliga and European giants Bayern Munich with an option of a one-year extension.
However, Manchester City are still keen on keeping Kyle Walker and are ready to renew his contract but it appears the English defender is closing in on his Manchester City exit.
Florian Plettenberg reports Kyle Walker has told Pep Guardiola he wants to leave the club this summer and join Bayern Munich. The 33-year-old still has a year remaining in his Manchester City contract but it is understood City will allow him to leave on the right offer if the contract renewal deadlock persists.
With the looming exit of Kyle Walker, the signing of Josko Gvardiol will be a big plus for Manchester City as the club prepares to defend their domestic and European triumph last season.
Gvardiol, 21, has been one of the top rated Bundesliga defenders since joining RB Leipzig from Dynamo Zagreb in 2020. He has made 87 appearances for the club, winning German domestic cups back-to-back, including helping Croatia win a bronze medal in the 2022 World Cup.
The Croatian defender will be expected to spice up and add a depth of experience in City defense lineup next season. Gvardiol is known for his elite level and top class defending. His stamina and agility allows him take on the best attackers in the game without a budge.
Guardiola has been on the trail of the youngster since the beginning of the summer long before Kyle Walker’s intended exit from the club. The Spanish tactician is said to be a great admirer of the skills and stability of Gvardiol when it comes to taking on big-name strikers.
Gvardiol produced stunning defensive display in the 2022 World Cup helping the country reached the semifinals where they were subsequently eliminated by Argentina.
The 21-year-old seemed to falter when he came up against Lionel Messi after the Argentina dribbled him through for one of Argentina’s three goals in the clash but Gvardiol’s performance throughout the tournament has been upheld as legendary.
