According to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs, Manchester City are ‘strongly considering’ making a move for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol this summer.

The Lowdown: Top of Guardiola’s wish list

The Croatian is believed to have been a long-time target of City's Premier League rivals Tottenham, but the Sky Blues haven’t been deterred, with the Daily Mail claiming that the 20-year-old is at the top of Pep Guardiola’s transfer wish list.

The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath backed this up even further on Twitter last week, stating that the English champions could weigh up an approach for the Leipzig centre-back as a potential replacement for Nathan Ake if the Dutchman is to leave the club in the coming weeks.

The Latest: City debating Gvardiol bid

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jacobs outlined that City are in the process of deciding whether or not to submit an official bid for Gvardiol.

He said: “Man City are looking at RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol. He’s also been heavily linked with Spurs. City are yet to place a bid but are strongly considering it. The only downside is the fee Leipzig want, which could be as high as £75 million.”

The Verdict: Strong physical presence

With Ake looking highly likely to make the move to Chelsea, Guardiola must now be on the hunt for reinforcements, and Gvardiol could add a fantastic physical presence to the Spaniard’s backline at the Etihad Stadium.

Standing at 6 foot 2, the Leipzig gem was once dubbed a ‘tank’ by Izak Ante Sucic, assistant editor of Germania Sport, and with good reason. He averaged 1.9 clearances and won 1.8 of his aerial duels per Bundesliga match last term, via WhoScored.

Whether or not City would be willing to cough up £75m after recently splashing out on big-money moves for the likes of Erling Haaland and Kalvin Phillips remains to be seen, but Guardiola has seemingly cast a watchful eye over Gvardiol, and who's to say that the young Croatian won't be the next marquee arrival at the Etihad...