Manchester City have announced the signing of Joško Gvardiol from RB Leipzig.
The Croatian international has become the most expensive defender in the world, surpassing the €87m that Manchester United paid to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester City in 2019.
As part of the deal, RB Leipzig will receive a fixed €90m with the Bundesliga side receiving a further €10m through various bonus payments, which would see Manchester City break the €100m barrier to sign the defender.
Gvardiol signed for Leipzig from Dinamo Zagreb in 2021 for just short of €19m, and the Croatian side will receive 15% of the transfer fee Leipzig receives.
During his time with the Saxons, the 21-year-old made 87 appearances and won two DFB Pokals.
Upon signing for City, the defender explained: “I have always dreamed of one day playing in England and to be doing so now with Manchester City – after the season they have just had – is a real honour for me.”
So who will replace 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).
GGFN | Jamie Allen
