Josko Gvardiol will complete his Manchester City medical today ahead of a move from RB Leipzig.
That’s according to Fabrizio Romano, who has reported that Gvardiol’s eagerly anticipated transfer is edging closer to completion.
City entered the summer transfer window with the 21-year-old centre-back right at the top of their shopping list, and they now look set to get their man.
With Aymeric Laporte expected to leave City this summer, Gvardiol is seen as the perfect defender to slot into the four-centre-back system Pep Guardiola adopted in the second half of last season.
Deal almost done
City and Leipzig have been locked in negotiations over the last few weeks, with the German side waiting for City to match their £86m asking price.
Leipzig were also likely waiting until they had brought in their own replacement for Gvardiol, El Chadaille Bitshiabu from Paris Saint-Germain.
The completion of that deal speeded up the process, and on Wednesday Romano reported that City and Leipzig had reached an agreement over Gvardiol.
The journalist also reported that Gvardiol – who agreed personal terms with City one month ago – will undergo the second part of his medical on Thursday.
If all goes according to plan then City will prepare the contract and documents for Gvardiol to sign.
MCN view: City did what they needed to do
It looks like City have secured their second signing of the summer, following the capture of Gvardiol’s Croatia teammate Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea.
At the start of the summer Guardiola gave City a list of three players he wanted them to buy – only Declan Rice got away.
City pulled out of the Rice deal as they weren’t willing to meet West Ham’s £105m asking price.
They clearly think that Gvardiol – previously described as “phenomenal’ by Kovacic – is worth every single penny, as at 21 years old he has the potential to become one of the best centre-backs of the modern era.
