The Premier League winners, who have been major admirers of the Croatian center defense for more than a year, designated him as their top marquee acquisition for the current summer transfer window some months ago.
Following his outstanding performances at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Manchester City’s interest increased, and club officials moved quickly to try and fend off competition for the player weeks before the formal opening of the summer market.
According to a recent rumor, Manchester City and RB Leipzig have finally fully agreed on a transfer fee for the player, clearing the way for the 21-year-old to finalize the move after a few small setbacks and delays in the process in recent days.
According to the information from the German newspaper BILD, Manchester City has agreed to pay a fixed transfer fee of €90 million, which will reportedly make Josko Gvardiol the most expensive defender in history.
The trade is now anticipated to be finalized within the next few days, and Gvardiol’s removal from the matchday squad for RB Leipzig’s friendly games against St. Truiden and Altglienicke on Wednesday is yet a further sign of how far along the transaction is.
More specifically, BILD discloses that in addition to Manchester City’s €90 million transfer price, there is also an agreement in place for a friendly match between the two teams. Should the game be sold out, Leipzig is anticipated to get an additional €1.5 million.
Later, Fabrizio Romano confirmed the price and said that, if all goes according to plan and the two clubs can agree on the last details, the player would have his medical at Manchester City on Friday.
Manchester City is anticipated to move forward with additional activity in the continuing market with the official confirmation of the deal to capture Josko Gvardiol, as they look towards hiring in either central midfield or out wide.
Michael Olise of Crystal Palace and Jeremy Doku of Rennes have both been mentioned as potential candidates by City, although they have set a tight £50 million budget for the Premier League forward.
If choices in the wider areas are limited, Etihad authorities may go to central midfield and, as a result, send players like Phil Foden or Bernardo Silva to the right wing, where both have previously shown to be productive.