According to sources close to Football Insider, Manchester City has initiated discussions with RB Leipzig regarding the potential acquisition of defender Josko Gvardiol. It is anticipated that the Premier League champions will intensify their efforts to secure the 21-year-old's signature once their Champions League final against Inter Milan concludes on June 10th.
A well-informed insider has disclosed to Football Insider that Gvardiol is currently viewed as Man City's primary target for the upcoming summer transfer window, set to officially open next week. The club's management reportedly holds a strong belief in their ability to reach an agreement for the Croatian international.
Sky Sports previously reported on May 19th that Gvardiol possesses a release clause of nearly £100 million within his RB Leipzig contract, which will become active in the summer of 2024. The talented defender recently extended his contract with the German club until June 2027, after signing a lucrative deal in 2022.
During the 2022-23 season, Gvardiol made 41 appearances across all competitions for Leipzig, showcasing his abilities by contributing three goals. Despite his young age, the defender has already accumulated an impressive 139 senior appearances, including 31 outings in European competitions.
Moreover, Gvardiol boasts a noteworthy international career, having earned 21 caps for Croatia and participating in the 2022 World Cup, where his national team secured a commendable third-place finish.
While Liverpool has previously been linked with an interest in Gvardiol, Football Insider revealed in April that the Reds no longer consider him a top target due to the perceived high asking price.
Manchester City currently possesses a strong center-back contingent consisting of Ruben Dias, Nathan Ake, John Stones, Aymeric Laporte, and Manuel Akanji.