After weeks of negotiations, Manchester City have today reached an agreement with RB Leipzig to sign Joško Gvardiol.
According to BILD, Gvardiol is no longer in RB Leipzig’s squad for their two friendlies on Wednesday, with the transfer expected to be made official in the next few days. Gvardiol will become the most expensive defender in the world with Leipzig receiving a fixed €90m fee, surpassing the €87m that Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019.
In addition to the €90m, Leipzig will play Manchester City in a friendly that should see the Bundesliga club receive around €1.5m if the fixture is sold out. The Premier League club agreed personal terms with Gvardiol as early as June, with the 21-year-old Croatian defender signing a long-term contract with the club.
Who replaces Gvardiol?
Leipzig have already signed left-footed defender El Chadaille Bitshiabu (18) from PSG for a reported €15m. Leipzig are also in concrete negotiations with Lyon to sign Castello Lukeba (20), but are expected to see their third offer, a reported €32m, for the French U21 international rejected.
As reported via our colleagues at Get French Football News, Leipzig are not deterred in their efforts to sign Lukeba.
GGFN | Daniel Pinder
