Recent discussions between Manchester City and RB Leipzig concern a potential trade for Josko Gvardiol.
The German club had verbal offers from the Citizens of €75 million (£64 million) plus add-ons refused, and it was earlier this week claimed that the Citizens were preparing an official proposal for the defender after they were told they needed to pay at least €100 million (£86 million) for him.
New details about this transfer drama involving the European champions have now been made public.
Gvardiol transaction is being advanced by City
Journalist Fabrizio Romano recently wrote about the present situation with City’s pursuit of Gvardiol in a Substack column for Caught Offside.
The deal for Josko Gvardiol is still being worked on by Manchester City, and additional connections were made on Thursday, he claimed. Leipzig has reiterated that they need at least €100 million and won’t take offers of €75 million or €80 million with add-ons.
“City are not currently arriving at €100m guaranteed, but the conversation is ongoing and the deal is unquestionably on and moving forward.”
This indicates to us that, despite the Manchester club’s eagerness to sign the Croatian, they would likely be seeking to pay less than the €100 million that Leipzig are demanding.
As a result, their willingness to spend for him will have to demonstrate how much they want to sign him.
The fact that Zlatko Dalic previously referred to him as “strong, confident, and elegant,” and that the Croatia manager referred to him as the “best central defender in the world,” emphasizes what a top acquisition this may be for the European champions.
In our opinion, the club should do everything possible to work out a deal that suits all parties, even if that means paying more than they may have planned to, if this player is a key target for Pep Guardiola and someone he believes will be an important figure for the squad for the foreseeable future.