According to reports from Italy, Manchester City is now getting closer to finalising a deal for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol. Following new negotiations, the transfer may even be completed by this week’s end.
What has changed since Josko Gvardiol joined Man City?
According to a recent report by Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth on Man City’s interest in Gvardiol, the defender may decide to stay at RB Leipzig because the Bundesliga team is not under any real pressure to sell him given the defender’s contract situation.
“With Gvardiol, that’s a different one,” Sheth said. Last week, there were numerous reports about a deal being reached and a medical being completed, but the information we were receiving was quite off-base.
“There is no agreement, there has been no medical, and RB Leipzig may decide to keep Gvardiol because they are not under any obligation to do so. Additionally, they demand a guarantee of €100 million for Gvardiol.
The question of whether City would go that far is intriguing, but it is clear that they are interested in the player.
Due to the Croatian’s current contract, which runs through June 2027, Leipzig holds the negotiating advantage when it comes to a transfer fee. However, a more recent development now indicates that Man City may be close to finalising a deal.
The Sky Blues are reportedly “getting closer” to signing the 21-year-old, with a deal reportedly in place for a fee of €100 million (£86 million), plus a portion of the transfer fee from any potential future sale.
If there are no unexpected developments, the deal might even be completed by the end of this week, with the new negotiations hastening the center-back’s move to the Etihad Stadium.
The 6 foot 1 defender’s desire to join Man City has already been acknowledged by Leipzig’s sporting director Max Eberl, and it now appears that Pep Guardiola is close to getting his man.
Josko Gvardiol: How good is he?
The Croatian international has impressed at club level and was hailed as “incredible” by the media for his performances at the 2022 World Cup. His passing ability makes him the ideal fit for a Guardiola team.
The Zagreb-born defender’s average pass attempt rate over the previous year was 87.18 per 90, which puts him in the 99th percentile among players in his position while his pass completion rate puts him in the 84th percentile.
Given that he ranks in the low percentile for tackles and aerials won, there are still a few things that the RB Leipzig star will need to work on, but he is still very young and has plenty of time to improve his game.
Overall, the fact that Man City is now edging closer to signing Gvardiol is fantastic news, and they will be hoping it can be finalised by the end of the week.
