Man City handed major Josko Gvardiol boost as RB Leipzig chief makes transfer admission

RB Leipzig sporting director, Max Eberl, has confirmed that Josko Gvardiol wants to sign for Manchester City.

The treble winners have been handed a massive boost in their pursuit of the Croatia international, who is under contract until 2027 with the Bundesliga side. City have stepped up talks with the player and the transfer could happen quite quickly, with reports suggesting that Gvardiol has a valuation of £86million.

That fee would make him the most expensive defender in the world - topping the £80m paid by Manchester United to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City. Gvardiol, 21, has played over 130 senior games in his career and made 41 appearances for Leipzig - in all competitions - last season.

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After City won the Champions League, speculation around Gvardiol intensified and that talk has now been backed up by senior figure Eberl. He has made it public that the player wishes to join the Premier League champions, with the move seemingly very close to completion.

"Gvardiol and his agents gave us their desire to move to Manchester City," said Eberl. "We are in talks with City. Yes, for €100 million (£86million) plus bonuses, Gvardiol will end up in Pep’s strong hands. The value of the deal would make Gvardiol the most expensive defender in history, but it might take a few more days."

Leipzig have been busy with sales already this summer, with midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai joining Liverpool for £60 million and Christopher Nkunku having signed for Chelsea for a reported £52m. A move to the Etihad Stadium for Gvardiol would see him link up with international team-mate Mateo Kovacic - whom City signed from Chelsea for £25m.