Josko Gvardiol is the top centre-back target for Manchester City and Real Madrid heading into the summer transfer window, sources have told 90min.
This season, the 21-year-old has established himself as one of the top defenders in the world, thanks in large part to his performances for Croatia at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
At the tail end of the summer transfer season, Gvardiol was on the verge of moving to Chelsea, but they were unable to reach an agreement with RB Leipzig, and he remained in Germany.
Although Gvardiol is viewed as faithful and unlikely to cause a scene in order to leave Leipzig, the club is prepared for another summer of offers because they are aware that he is ready to move on.
According to 90min, Leipzig would aim to pay £75m for the back, who will have no trouble finding suitors.
This summer, signing Gvardiol has been a top goal for both Man City and Real Madrid, but both clubs are up against the same obstacle.
With Man City and Real Madrid among the top candidates to sign him, Jude Bellingham is most likely to depart Borussia Dortmund and would demand a nine-figure transfer fee.
Whether either club could manage to sign Bellingham and Gvardiol at the same time is still up in the air.
Man City, who anticipates selling Aymeric Laporte, is keeping an eye on Evan Ndicka as he prepares to leave Eintracht Frankfurt. The Frenchman, whose contract ends in the summer, would be a much more affordable choice for the position of left-sided centre-back.
The 90min podcast network’s Scott Saunders, Graeme Bailey, and Toby Cudworth talk about the future of Julian Nagelsmann and his connections to the open head coach position at Tottenham, Barcelona’s desire to bring Lionel Messi “home,” Brighton teen Evan Ferguson, Florian Wirtz, Kalvin Phillips, and more on this episode of Talking Transfers.
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