Josko Gvardiol looks set to join Manchester City, but he could have easily ended up signing for cross-town rivals Manchester United.
City have pursued RB Leipzig centre-back Gvardiol all summer, but in the last few weeks, it started to look like the deal might never happen.
Tensions grew between the two clubs while discussing a payment structure of the deal, after reports leaked that an agreement was close to being reached.
Leipzig also strongly denied that Gvardiol had already undergone part of his medical at City.
However, talks began to advance this week and on Wednesday the news broke that the two clubs had come to an agreement.
City will pay a fixed fee of £77.5m for the 21-year-old defender, regarded by the club and Pep Guardiola as a phenomenal talent who is one of the best in his position in the world.
The fee is less than Leipzig’s original asking price of £86m (€100m) and the deal does not include any add-ons whatsoever.
The agreement does include provision for a friendly between the two clubs, which could earn Leipzig as much as £1.5m.
Gvardiol is expected to commit his future to City to at least 2028 by signing a five-year contract with the option of a further 12 months.
United could regret their decision
Contrary to popular belief, City’s financial muscle doesn’t mean they can sign absolutely any player they want; Declan Rice is proof of that.
In recent years there have been various players who Manchester United have beaten City to, including Alexis Sanchez and Harry Maguire.
This time though, it appears City have signed someone United let slip through the net.
According to The Times, Gvardiol was on United’s seven-man shortlist of centre-back targets last summer, but Erik ten Hag’s side ended up signing Lisandro Martinez instead.
United paid £56.7m to sign Martinez from Ajax, and the Argentine World Cup winner has become a fan favourite at Old Trafford.
Only time will tell who goes on to enjoy the more successful Premier League career.
