Josko Gvardiol has been removed from RB Leipzig’s squad as his transfer to Manchester City edges closer to completion.
City’s pursuit of Gvardiol has developed into the transfer saga of the summer, as negotiations between the two clubs stalled in recent weeks.
Last month it was widely reported that Gvardiol had agreed to personal terms with City and had completed the first part of his medical, but Leipzig publicly denied that that was the case.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the ‘leak’ created problems between the two clubs as they had not finalised a transfer agreement.
It’s understood that the hold-up in the deal related to the payment structure and potential add-ons.
It’s now expected that City will sign the 21-year-old – regarded by many as one of the best young defenders in the world – for less than Leipzig’s £86m asking price.
City fans will be understandably wary of celebrating too soon given the difficulties of the deal.
However, news emerged on Wednesday that gave a clear indication that the signing of Gvardiol is imminent.
Gvardiol left out of RB Leipzig squad
As reported by Bild, Gvardiol is no longer in Leipzig’s squad for friendly matches against VV St. Truiden and VSG Altglienicke on Wednesday.
The report states that the transfer of the centre-back will be completed within the next few days and that Gvardiol will be officially presented as a City player.
Bild report that City will pay a fixed transfer fee of €90m, approximately £77.5m.
If the fee is indeed less than the expected £86m, then Gvardiol will not become the most expensive defender in football history as Manchester United paid £80m for Harry Maguire in 2019.
Bild has also reported that, as part of the terms of the deal, City and Leipzig will play a friendly match that could earn the German club as much as €1.5m in the event of a sell-out.
