Manchester City handed major transfer boost as €114 million transfer target set to inform club of willingness to leave

Premier League champions Manchester City are expected to be handed a significant boost in their hopes of landing RB Leipzig Josko Gvardiol this summer.

Etihad officials are understood to be keen on refreshing Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad over the course of the coming months, with a view towards further cementing their status as England’s best team.

As part of that refresh, Manchester City officials have shortlisted a number of players for various positions, in anticipation of some of their existing players seeking moves away to secure increased game time next season.

One such position being monitored is central defence, with City chiefs bracing themselves for one of Pep Guardiola’s five current names leaving the club in the coming months – namely Aymeric Laporte.

Should the Spain international manage to complete a move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer, City view RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol as their number one replacement after being impressed by the 21 year-old’s abilities this season in particular.

Now, following a significant development concerning the Bundesliga star, Manchester City’s hopes of signing the player in the coming months have been drastically boosted and supporters may not be too far away from welcoming the player as a new recruit.

According to a new report from Paul Hirst of The Times, Josko Gvardiol will tell RB Leipzig that he is ‘open to a move’ this summer, as interest in the ever-impressive centre-back from Manchester City ‘intensifies’.

It is further explained that Gvardiol – who starred for Croatia at the recent 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar – is expected to notify Leipzig that he would like them to consider offers for him after their final match of the season, which comes in the German cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday.

A major stumbling block for any potential suitor this summer could come through the player’s expected transfer fee.

The Times reports that Gvardiol has a release clause of €114 million / £97 million in his current contract, while Leipzig are willing to sell the centre back for around €100 million / £87 million.

Elsewhere, Manchester City are stepping up their pursuit of Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, having been granted permission by Stamford Bridge chiefs to speak with the 29 year-old over a possible summer switch.

Personal terms with the Croatia international are expected to be agreed upon in swift fashion, leaving City and Chelsea to come to a conclusion on a transfer fee – with the London side set to seek an offer around the £35 million mark.

Manchester City continue to wait on decisions from Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan, as the midfield duo still remain uncertain as to where they wish to play their football beyond the conclusion of the 2022/23 season.