Manchester City ‘hope to finalise Josko Gvardiol deal before Community Shield with Arsenal’

Manchester City are reportedly hoping to wrap up a deal for RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol before they take on Arsenal in the Community Shield on Sunday.

The 21-year-old has been linked with a big-money move to the Etihad Stadium throughout the summer transfer window, and he is believed to be Pep Guardiola‘s primary defensive target.

It was reported last month that Man City had reached an agreement to sign the Croatia international, but Leipzig head coach Marco Rose and sporting director Max Eberl have played down suggestions that an agreement is in place.

Negotiations remain ongoing, though, and Gvardiol has informed Leipzig of his desire to join the treble winners this summer.

Leipzig are understood to have set a deadline of August 12 for the Citizens to agree a fee for Gvardiol, who is currently taking part in pre-season training with the German club.

Despite recent reports claiming that Liverpool could attempt to hijack City’s move for Gvardiol, the Citizens remain optimistic that they can win the race for the defender’s signature this summer.

According to the Daily Mail, Man City are pushing to recruit Gvardiol before Sunday afternoon’s Community Shield clash with Arsenal at Wembley Stadium after making significant steps in negotiations over the past 24 hours.

Man City spent their pre-season in both Japan and South Korea, but they made the journey back to the UK last week in preparation for their trip to London to face the Gunners.

The report adds that the Citizens held encouraging talks with Red Bull joint-CEO Oliver Mintzlaff on Tuesday and there appears to be a desire from both sides to find a quick resolution.

Man City have been quoted €100m (£86m) by Leipzig for Gvardiol throughout this summer, but it is understood that Guardiola’s side are now likely to pay a fee below the Bundesliga club’s initial valuation of the Croatian, although he could still become the most expensive defender of all time.

Gvardiol has established himself as one of the brightest defensive prospects in world football since joining Leipzig from Dinamo Zagreb in 2020, making 87 appearances for Die Roten Bullen in all competitions.

The left-footed defender, who is comfortable operating at either centre-back or left-back, has also starred at international level with Croatia, and he played in every minute of their seven matches at the 2022 World Cup en route to success in the third-place playoff.

Gvardiol could become the second Croatian to join Man City this summer after midfielder Mateo Kovacic, who recently stated that now is a “good time” for the Leipzig defender to take the next step in his career and move to the Etihad Stadium.

The potential arrival of Gvardiol on the blue side of Manchester will likely see Aymeric Laporte head for the exit door, after the Spaniard fell behind Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake in the pecking order last season.

Man City are also in the market for a new winger this summer following the departure of Riyad Mahrez, and a host of names including Rennes’ Jeremy Doku, Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise and Leipzig’s Dani Olmo are all said to be on Guardiola’s radar.