Manchester City, the triumphant team that recently achieved the treble, has set its sights on RB Leipzig's defender, Josko Gvardiol. The talented Croatian player has become the top target for Man City coach Pep Guardiola. However, there seems to be frustration on Guardiola's part as the club is reluctant to meet the demanded transfer fee.
Leipzig has made it clear to Manchester City that they will not entertain the sale of Gvardiol unless they receive the initial asking price of £87 million, which was quoted when City initially expressed their interest three months ago.
In preparation for Gvardiol's potential departure, Leipzig has lined up the signing of Feyenoord's central defender, Lutsharel Geertruida, valuing the Dutch player at £40 million. Leipzig has proposed an arrangement that would allow Gvardiol to join Manchester City, provided the English club is willing to pay approximately £50 million in both outgoing and incoming deals.
This means that for City to secure Geertruida for £40 million, they would need to agree to pay £87 million for Gvardiol. The 21-year-old Gvardiol has expressed his desire to join Manchester City personally, making it clear that he sees a future with the Sky Blues. Reports have surfaced claiming that Gvardiol has already undergone a medical examination for Man City.
However, despite the speculation surrounding his potential move, he remains with Leipzig, diligently training with the team during their nine-day session in Austria. The situation surrounding Gvardiol's transfer is a clear indication of the complexities and negotiations that take place in the football transfer market.
As the transfer window unfolds, both Manchester City and RB Leipzig will navigate their respective positions to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement. For Manchester City, securing Gvardiol's services at the right price would be seen as a shrewd business move, aligning with the club's ambitions for continued success in domestic and European competitions.