Manchester City Agree World Record Deal for Josko Gvardiol
Manchester City have reportedly reached an agreement to sign Josko Gvardiol from German club RB Leipzig. It is thought that the deal could be worth £86m, which would be a world record transfer fee for a defender.
Gvardiol has already agreed personal terms and has completed the first part of his medical with the move on the verge of being completed, according to reports. The centre-back, who can also play at left-back, has been linked with a number of clubs since he rose to prominence over the last couple of years. Both Chelsea and Tottenham showed interest in bringing him to the Premier League but are set to lose the race for his signature to the treble-winners.
Gvardiol has impressed on the international stage with Croatia and helped his nation to a third-placed finish at last year’s World Cup in Qatar. The 21-year-old will become the second Croatian player to join Pep Guardiola’s side this summer after City brought in Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea.
Gvardiol has amassed 52 first team appearances for Dynamo Zagreb and 88 for RB Leipzig, while he has picked up 21 caps for Croatia. Guardiola saw Gvardiol up close when City knocked out RB Leipzig in the last 16 of the Champions League last term. The Premier League side won 7-0 at the Etihad but the Spaniard was clearly impressed, with Gvardiol admitting that they enjoyed a short chat after the match.
The Impact of Gvardiol’s Move to Manchester City
The signing of Gvardiol is a huge statement of intent from Manchester City and shows their ambition to continue their domination of English football. The 21-year-old is one of the most highly rated defenders in Europe and his arrival will bolster an already formidable back line.
Gvardiol is an excellent passer of the ball and is comfortable playing out from the back, which fits perfectly with Guardiola’s possession-based style of play. He is also strong in the air and is capable of making crucial interventions in one-on-one situations.
The Croatian international will provide competition for Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Ruben Dias in the heart of defence and could even be used as a left-back if needed. He will also add valuable experience to a squad that is full of young talent.
Conclusion
The signing of Josko Gvardiol is a huge coup for Manchester City and shows their ambition to remain at the top of English football for years to come. The 21-year-old is one of the most highly rated defenders in Europe and his arrival will bolster an already formidable back line. He is an excellent passer of the ball and is comfortable playing out from the back, which fits perfectly with Guardiola’s possession-based style of play. He will provide competition for Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Ruben Dias in the heart of defence and could even be used as a left-back if needed. Gvardiol’s arrival will add valuable experience to a squad that is full of young talent and could help Manchester City to continued success in the coming years.