Red Bull Arena, Leipzig, Germany - January 23, 2022. RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol celebrates after the match.
Man City officials have been sent to run the rule over Josko Gvardiol as the champions, and sporting director Txiki Begiristain by extension, eye a move.
The Lowdown: City linked…
The Blues have been heavily linked to Gvardiol in recent months with rumours suggesting that Pep Guardiola and co are firmly targeting him.
As members of the squad also weigh up their futures, as is reported to be the case with long-serving defender Aymeric Laporte, the likes of Gvardiol apparently appeal to City.
The Premier League title-contenders are even thought to have lodged a £96 million bid in the January transfer window and now another update has come to light on their interest.
The Latest: City officials dispatched…
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, writing for 90min, City officials have actually been sent to run the rule over Gvardiol as Guardiola’s side aim to ‘remain in the loop’ alongside rivals Liverpool.
It’s also suggested that the Croatia international has a £100 million release clause which kicks in next year with a move this summer looking ‘increasingly likely’ as clubs will want to avoid paying a figure in and around that number.
Alongside City and Liverpool, La Liga giants Real Madrid are also thought to be targeting Gvardiol.
The Verdict: Ideal player…
Guardiola could sign an elite defender in the 21-year-old who is slowly becoming one of Europe’s most in-demand centre-backs.
Gvardiol dazzled at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with members of the media branding him ‘sensational’ and ‘unbelievable’ during the tournament.
The ball-playing centre-half would slot right into City’s team going by his brilliant pass completion rate of 88.6% with the Croatian also ranking highly in terms of interceptions and clearances per 90 in Leipzig’s side.
City’s crop of central defenders is stacked with the presence of Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake, but if one or two of them were to depart this summer, Gvardiol would be a ready-made replacement.
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