Exciting news for all football fans as Manchester City has reached an agreement to acquire the highly promising Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig! The 21-year-old Croatian center-half, who also boasts versatility as a left-back, is believed to have completed the first part of his medical on Wednesday, with the deal set to be finalized soon.
Gvardiol’s move to City comes after a month of intense negotiations, during which the talented defender agreed on personal terms with the club. At Leipzig, he had a contract until 2027, giving the German club considerable leverage in the talks. They were initially demanding a substantial €100m (£86.7m) for the young player’s services.
The impending arrival of Gvardiol marks Manchester City’s second signing of the summer, following the acquisition of midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea. Additionally, the club is preparing for the departure of Riyad Mahrez, who is set to join the Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli for an estimated £30m.
The young defender’s journey to the Etihad Stadium has been nothing short of remarkable. Starting his career at Dinamo Zagreb, Gvardiol spent two successful seasons at RB Leipzig before capturing City’s attention with his impressive performances.
Upon joining Manchester City, Gvardiol will become part of a star-studded list of central defenders, including the likes of Manuel Akanji, Rúben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Nathan Aké, and John Stones. However, under Pep Guardiola’s strategic guidance, the defense has often been deployed in unconventional ways, with center-halves occasionally playing at full-back, and even John Stones finding himself in midfield at times.
Wednesday’s transfer activity reflects Manchester City’s proactive approach to squad adjustments following their triumphant treble victory. The departure of Ilkay Gündogan to Barcelona last month and the impending exit of Riyad Mahrez mark significant changes for a team that has experienced tremendous success over the years. Mahrez, in particular, leaves behind a legacy of four Premier League titles, a Champions League triumph, and two FA Cups with City.
In other news, former City defender Benjamin Mendy, who was recently found not guilty of serious charges, has signed with the French top-division club Lorient, marking a fresh start for the player after a challenging period.
Stay tuned for further updates as Manchester City continues to shape its squad ahead of the new season!
