Manchester City ‘very close’ to €100M signing despite official club word denying significant progress

Manchester City are close to making RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol the most expensive defender in history, as per several reports.

Gvardiol has been widely reported to be high on Guardiola’s wishlist amidst what is expected to be significant squad revamp this summer.

The treble winners have already signed Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea for £30 million after Ilkay Gundogan joined Barcelona at the end of a decorated seven-year spell at the Etihad Stadium.

Sources close to the club have indicated that departures from the current first-team squad are likely to dictate any further incomings.

With Aymeric Laporte expected to leave ahead of the new season, City are finally close to closing a sensational deal for Gvardiol that would make the the 21-year-old Croatian the costliest defender in history.

Negotiations over a deal amounting to £86 million are expected to conclude in the coming days, as per Mike McGrath of the Telegraph, after RB Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl revealed that Gvardiol will soon be donning blue.

“Gvardiol and his agents gave us their desire to move to Manchester City. We are in talks with City for €100 million plus bonuses; Gvardiol will end up in Pep’s strong hands. The value of the deal would make Gvardiol the most expensive defender in history. But it might take a few more days,” said Eberl, as per Guido Schäfer.

The European champions are set to agree a package deal reaching €100 million (£86 million) and are ‘very close’ in their pursuit of Gvardiol, Manuel Veth has confirmed.

However, it is worth noting that Manchester City are yet to enter an official bid for the young centre-half, as per Mike Minay.