Manchester City is on the verge of finalizing an agreement for the acquisition of RB Leipzig’s center-back, Josko Gvardiol. The clubs have reached a consensus on a transfer fee amounting to £77.6 million (€90 million).
This potential deal would not break the record for a defender transfer, as Manchester United had spent £80 million on Harry Maguire in 2019. Taking into account fluctuations in exchange rates and inflation, the cost for Manchester City is only slightly higher than the £75 million Liverpool paid for Virgil van Dijk.
Gvardiol, a Croatia international center-back renowned as one of Europe’s premier talents in that position, possesses a left-footed prowess. The 21-year-old has garnered substantial interest from prominent clubs, including Chelsea and Tottenham, both of whom sought his signature last year.
Gvardiol’s encounters with Manchester City in the previous Champions League season illustrate a stark contrast. In the first leg of the last-16 tie, he exhibited his defensive maturity, culminating in a towering header to equalize for RB Leipzig. However, three weeks later, the German club suffered a humbling 7-0 defeat in Manchester against the unstoppable Erling Haaland, leaving Gvardiol with a chastening experience.
Nonetheless, this setback appears to have done little to diminish the esteem in which Gvardiol is held by potential suitors, demonstrating his unwavering determination to ascend to the pinnacle of the sport.
Source – skysports.com
