Manchester United might be on the verge of making one of the summer’s marquee acquisitions by jumping in late on a deal that had just appeared to be done.
Is Josko Gvardiol going to Manchester CIiy?
It is surprising to discover that Manchester City’s move for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol has not yet been finalized given that transfer insider Fabrizio Romano famously said, “Here we go,” about two weeks ago.
But a day later, Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol even said that the agreement is “not near,” bringing the transaction into disgrace.
As sources in Spain now claim they are one of three new Premier League clubs now vying for the Croatian’s signature, it appears Erik ten Hag is attempting to capitalize on this obstacle. These parties allegedly put up bids to entice the German club to sell to them instead.
It was stated back in April that they would demand a fee of roughly £75 million to authorize his exit. However, given the heightened competition, the charge may now grow even further.
How come Josko Gvardiol is so great?
The 21-year-old colossus is in high demand for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is his experience, which well exceeds his years.
The left-footed titan has shone for both his current team and his country, having earned the right to take the next step up in his career.
If the youngster were to choose to join Old Trafford, he or she could form a strong defensive pairing with Lisandro Martinez that would be nearly tough to get around.
In spite of concerns about his height, the Argentine star had a successful debut season in English football, maintaining a 7.12 average rating in the Premier League. According to Sofascore, this statistic was boosted by his 87% pass completion rate, 1.2 interceptions, two tackles, and 3.6 clearances per game.
He was a stalwart for a backline that contributed to David De Gea winning the Golden Glove.
He is a gritty, competitive juggernaut of a center-back, as even Ten Hag noted after his £47 million transfer:
“He is a warrior, and I believe his supporters will respect him. He has a battling energy and attitude. He injects positive aggression into the game. I believe we require that. But he’s also skilled and capable of handling the ball.
The combination of his steely presence and Gvardiol’s refined, strong, and almost royal physique may be just what any striker in the division needs to be stopped.
Especially when viewing the latter’s most recent campaign in the Bundesliga, where he too boasted a 6.94 average rating. With 89% pass accuracy, 89% dribble success, and 2.3 clearances per game too, suddenly the reasons behind such a lofty price tag are revealed, as per Sofascore.
The latter figure would have seen him ranked fifth among the Red Devils’ squad last season in the league, with a rating that would have made him the second-best performing center-back only behind Martinez.
FBref further solidifies his reputation as one of the game’s top players by ranking in the top 1% for attempted passes per 90, the top 4% for successful take-ons per 90, and the top 18% for progressive passes per 90 when measured against other center-backs in Europe. He would thrive alongside United’s 25-year-old enforcer because he is the epitome of a contemporary defender.
Such performance has ushered in well-deserved accolades, as one Head of Sport at a Bundesliga club waxed poetic to journalist and former football player Jan Aage Fjortoft:
“Gvardiol is an unquestionably top-tier defender. Few players will be able to dominate this position like he can in the years to come.
Zlatko Dalic, the manager of his country’s national team, would go even further, calling the young behemoth the “greatest center defender in the world.”
Ten Hag has already strengthened his team enough this summer, but snatching the deal from their rivals would not only secure a long-term successor to Raphael Varane who could partner Martinez for the foreseeable future, it would also give the fans some much-needed ammunition against the treble-winners.
They are the ideal synthesis of poise, strength, and talent, and they have the ability to elevate the club back to the pinnacle of world football.