Josko Gvardiol 'alternatives looked at' as defender move stalls and more Man City transfer rumours

Manchester City are looking at alternatives to Josko Gvardiol should the move for the central defender not end up coming to fruition this summer, according to reports.

Treble winners City have added just one new player to their side in the current transfer window, with Mateo Kovacic joining the club from Chelsea for an initial £25m. Several players meanwhile have headed out the exit door at the Etihad Stadium.

Ilkay Gundogan has moved to Barcelona on a free transfer, while Riyad Mahrez has headed to Al-Ahli for £30m. Youngsters Shea Charles and James Trafford have also moved to Southampton and Burnley respectively.

City are looking to reinforce their defensive options. They remain in talks with RB Leipzig over a possible deal for centre-back Gvardiol.

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Any transfer fee agreed is likely to eclipse the £80m Manchester United paid Leceister City for Harry Maguire. In doing so, the Croatian international would become the most expensive defender in history.

But with the deal not looking to be complete any time soon, it appears City have contingency plans in place in case the move for Gvardiol does not come to fruition. According to The Secret Scout, the Premier League champions are now looking at alternatives to Gvardiol with Guardiola planning to keep Aymeric Laporte at the club if a new signing is not made.

Elsewhere, City are reported to have rejected a "dozen" loan bids for full-back Rico Lewis with Southampton, Leeds United and Everton among the sides interested.

That's according to the Sunday Express [via HampshireLive] which says the City star has attracted plenty of interest and offers. However, Pep Guardiola sees the