Manchester City identify £85 million World Cup star as possible summer reinforcement

Etihad Stadium chiefs have identified RB Leipzig and Croatian international Josko Gvardiol as a possible summer reinforcement, according to reliable reports.

Despite there being everything to play for in the ongoing season, some officials within Manchester City are starting to look ahead to the new campaign, and how best to equip Pep Guardiola with the finest selection of stars to cater for his tactical needs.

As such, the upcoming summer transfer window will be imperative to executing those conversations to full effect, with a number of positions having already been identified by the club as areas to pay attention to.

One such area is central defence, as concerns begin to grow over the possibility of Manchester City sanctioning a sale for Aymeric Laporte – should the right offer be made for the Spanish international in the coming weeks and months.

The latest line of reporting concerns who City could bring into the club, should the former Athletic Bilbao man bring an end to his five-year stay at the Etihad Stadium.

According to the information of Jack Gaughan of the Mail, RB Leipzig’s highly-rated Croatia international Josko Gvardiol is on Manchester City’s ‘list of targets’, should Pep Guardiola and his Etihad colleagues look to reshape their defence.

It is stated that the German club are expected to set an asking price of more than £85 million this summer, if they are to sanction the 21 year-old’s departure to one of Europe’s prominent suitors.

Perhaps of greater interest to those within Manchester City, reports in Germany have also claimed that that Leipzig may have to sell star names this summer in order to raise finance, amid concerns over their abilities to comply with Financial Fair Play.

City are also in an ongoing pursuit of new midfield names, with their original number one choice for the position – Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham – expected to complete a switch to Real Madrid in the coming weeks.

A number of alternative names have been mooted in various quarters, including the likes of Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic and Leicester City’s James Maddison – who may become available for a cut-price this summer, should the Foxes be subjected to relegation to the Championship.

Before being certain of who is required to join the club, Manchester City will first have to iron out the futures of Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva – with the pair attracting attention from the likes fo Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.