From Fabrizio Romano: Man City ‘absolutely in the race’ for ‘potential bomb’ this summer – Chelsea and Liverpool also interested

Manchester City are described as being ‘absolutely in the race’ for RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiola this summer, as per Fabrizio Romano.

The Premier League champions look set to undertake a busy summer transfer window when the market reopens in the coming months, as they look to refresh Pep Guardiola’s squad for the final two years of the Catalan manager’s current contract.

While attacking roles and the midfield are likely to be high up on the club’s priority list, central defence is expected to be an area of focus, especially given the rising uncertainty surrounding the future of Aymeric Laporte.

The Spain international has recently been mooted to be interested in a move away from the Etihad Stadium, while a report from Spain this week went as far as to suggest that his team had entertained talks with FC Barcelona.

Such reports have now also coincided with confirmation that Manchester City will be in the race to sign RB Leipzig’s impressive Croatian centre-back Josko Gvardiol this summer, as per Fabrizio Romano.

The transfer expert confirms that Chelsea and Liverpool are also likely to be in the race for the player, but also that Pep Guardiola is a big fan – a factor that has often been decisive when Manchester City show concrete interest in players.

Speaking on his official YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano explained, “We know Chelsea were really one step away from signing Josko Gvardiol last summer, and then the deal collapsed and Leipzig were able to extend the contract. What is important to say is that Chelsea remain interested in Josko Gvardiol, he’s a player they really appreciate, but there are also other clubs in the race.

“From what I understand, Liverpool approached his club Leipzig in January to understand the conditions of the deal, and it was almost impossible to sign Gvardiol. But Liverpool have an interest in Josko Gvardiol, he’s a player they appreciate.

Romano continued, “But let me say that Manchester City are also absolutely into the race, too. Everything is open in this moment, but Man City love Josko Gvardiol. I understand also that Pep Guardiola is a big fan of the player, and so there is a big, big race open. Man City will be there, Liverpool are interested, and of course it is important to remind about Chelsea, but everything is open at this stage.

“It’s never easy to get a deal done with Leipzig, but I feel that Josko Gvardiol will be a big, big deal – one of the potential bombs of the summer.”

Manchester City will of course have another opportunity to view Josko Gvardiol first hand in the coming weeks, as they take on RB Leipzig in the second-leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie at the Etihad Stadium.

The Croatian defender showed his goalscoring capabilities in particular during the first-leg in Saxony last month, beating Ruben Dias to a header at a corner and ensuring that the tie is all to play for via a 1-1 scoreline going into the second-half of the contest.