In a surprising turn of events, Manchester City's anticipated record-breaking transfer for Josko Gvardiol is reportedly not as close to completion as previously thought. This comes despite renowned transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano's recent claim that the deal was on the verge of being signed and that Gvardiol had already completed the first part of his medical.
Pep Guardiola's side, which is looking to retain its top spot next season after completing a treble last term, has been actively seeking to bolster its squad. The club has already secured the services of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea for £25 million, a move seen as a replacement for Ilkay Gundogan who left for Barcelona on a free transfer.
However, the pursuit of Gvardiol, the 21-year-old centre-back from RB Leipzig, has been met with conflicting reports. While some sources suggest that a deal is almost agreed upon, others, including Sky Germany, indicate that Leipzig does not consider the deal to be close. The German club reportedly values Gvardiol at about €100 million (£86.7 million), a fee that would make him the most expensive defender in the world.
Gvardiol, who has impressed at both club and international level, is considered one of the best young centre-backs in the world. His potential arrival at Manchester City could lead to speculation over Aymeric Laporte's future, who has reportedly attracted interest from Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur this summer.
Despite the uncertainty, it's clear that Guardiola is keen on securing Gvardiol's services. The young Croatian's arrival would not only strengthen City's defence but also potentially ease the pressure on Manchester United's Harry Maguire, who currently holds the title of the world's most expensive defender.
However, the road to Gvardiol's transfer appears to be more complex than initially thought. As it stands, Manchester City still has some work to do before they can announce Gvardiol as their latest new recruit. Whether the club will meet Leipzig's hefty valuation remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the outcome of this transfer saga will have significant implications for both clubs and the players involved.
