Man City set to break transfer record for a defender after agreeing £90m deal with RB Leipzig for Josko Gvardiol – as Premier League champions immediately reinvest funds from imminent Riyad Mahrez sale
- Centre-back Josko Gvardiol has been Man City’s top-target this summer window
- The 21-year-old is set to become the club’s second signing after Mateo Kovacic
- Gvardiol has risen to fame during his time in the Bundesliga with RB Leipzig
Manchester City have reached the final stage of talks with RB Leipzig over defender Josko Gvardiol as they look to seal a £90million deal.
The highly-rated Croatian was Pep Guardiola‘s top-target going into the window and is set to join his countryman Mateo Kovacic who completed a £25m move last month.
Gvardiol has risen to prominence since his move to the Bundesliga in 2020, making 87 appearances for Leipzig and winning back-to-back German Cups.
The youngster has also earned 21 caps for the Croatian national team and featured at the World Cup in Qatar as the side claimed the bronze medal.
City’s big money move would break the world eclipse the current record transfer for a defender set when Man United splashed £80m on Harry Maguire from Leicester City in 2019.
Man City are set to seal a £90m for Josko Gvardiol – which will make the 21-year-old the most expensive defender of all-time
Gvardiol will link up with his Croatian team mate Mateo Kovacic at the Etihad this summer
Leipzig have already suffered the loss of key men Christopher Nkunku and Dominik Szoboszlai, who have joined City’s Premier League rivals Chelsea and Liverpool.
Meanwhile, the Citizens are set to lose Riyad Mahrez after coming to an agreement on a £30m deal with Saudi club Al Ahli.
The 32-year-old will undergo his medical on Wednesday ahead of a three-year contract with the outfit who have already captured the signatures of Edouard Mendy and Roberto Firmino.
Guardiola’s side are also on the verge of losing youngster Josh Wilson Esbrand, though the left-back will only depart for Ligue 1 side Reims on loan.
