RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl has confirmed Josko Gvardiol has requested to join Manchester City as talks between the golf equipment proceed.
Treble-winning City need reinforcements on the again and had been informed by the Bundesliga membership late in June {that a} world report charge for a defender could be required for a sale to be facilitated. Interest from Pep Guardiola’s facet dates again to April.
Leipzig have already misplaced key first group stars like Christopher Nkunku, Konrad Laimer and Dominik Szoboszlai this summer time. The departure of Gvardiol, who began 24 league video games as his facet got here third behind champions Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, could be one other hefty blow to the backbone of final season’s group.
“Gvardiol and his agents gave us their desire to move to Manchester City. We are in talks with City,” Eberl informed LVZ.
READ MORE FROM THE 90MIN TALKING TRANSFERS TEAM
“Yes, for €100m plus bonuses, Gvardiol will end up in Pep’s strong hands. The value of the deal would make Gvardiol the most expensive defender in history. But it might take a few more days.”
That switch charge would eclipse the £80m forked out by native rivals Manchester United to Leicester for Harry Maguire again in 2019. Gvardiol had beforehand been wished by Chelsea final yr however no settlement was ever reached earlier than he signed a brand new contract with Leipzig.
His arrival would add to Guardiola’s power in central defence. Consistent roles had been discovered for Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji and John Stones all through the profitable 2022/23 marketing campaign, whereas Aymeric Laporte usually warmed the bench or featured in decrease stakes outings.
City confirmed the arrival of Croatia worldwide midfielder Mateo Kovacic earlier than membership captain Ilkay Gundogan’s free switch to Barcelona upon the expiry of his contract.
LISTEN NOW
On this week’s version of Talking Transfers, a part of the 90min podcast community, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth, Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to talk about Mason Mount’s impending transfer to Man Utd, Arsenal’s numerous offers, Liverpool’s pursuit of Dominik Szoboszlai and extra!
If you possibly can’t see this embed, click on right here to hear to the podcast!
Discussion about this post