It has been reported that Manchester City are inching closer than ever to completing a transfer for RB Leipzig centre-back Josko Gvardiol.
This comes from journalist Manuel Veth, after the club’s sporting director, Max Eberl even admitted that a deal between both sides could be struck.
Now, this admission has been backed up, as Manchester City look ready to make Josko Gvardiol the most expensive defender of all time.
Manchester City ready to wrap up Josko Gvardiol transfer
Branded as ‘generational’ by Football Fan Cast, the Croatian international is considered as the best young centre-half in world football.
While Gvardiol has been viewed as an elite prospect right from the start of his time in Germany, it was at the World Cup where he propelled his name amongst the crème-de-la-crème of young players on the globe.
Now, Manuel Veth has reported that Manchester City are ‘now very close’ to signing Josko Gvardiol in a package set to be worth a whopping £85.9 million.
This move could make the youngster the most expensive central defender in football history, beating Harry Maguire, who cost Manchester United as much as £80 million (Guardian) in 2019.
Manchester City clearly back him to reach the absolute top
While Manchester City have a reputation of splashing the cash willy-nilly, the truth is that they only pay a sizable fee if they fully believe in a player’s potential, as could be in the case of Josko Gvardiol.
However, in the cases of Harry Maguire, Fred, Marc Cucurella and Declan Rice, the treble-winners set a limit on a transfer fee they aim to pay and wilfully pull out at the right time if the price tag that is being quoted does not align with their target’s ceiling and how he could potentially elevate them.
The fact that Gvardiol could join the Sky Blues without it not being such a long-drawn saga indicates that the club internally believe that he could become the best centre-back in the world.
Considering City’s unquestionable eye for talent, this is a major green flag ahead of a potential world-record transfer.
