RB Leipzig have named their price for Josko Gvardiol, who has emerged as Manchester City’s top defensive target. The Bundesliga club want a world record deal for a defender, surpassing what Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019.
RB Leipzig have made it clear to Manchester City that they expect a world record fee for a defender in order to let Josko Gvardiol go, 90min understands.
City have long regarded Gvardiol as one of their top summer targets – already evealed by 90min in April – and now they are pushing on with talks for the Croatian star.
Sources have confirmed to 90min that talks between Gvardiol’s representatives and City have gone well and personal terms are agreed ‘in principle’ leading to confidence that a deal will soon happen.
Negotiations between the two clubs are now ongoing, with Leipzig seeking a sum that surpasses the £80m that Manchester United paid Leicester for Harry Maguire in 2019 – the current world record transfer for a defender.
Although City are keen not to go as high as the €100m (£85.5m) that Leipzig are looking for, they do recognise that a world record bid is likely required to get the deal done.
With a deal already in place for Chelsea midfielder Mateo Kovacic, City are hoping to that Gvardiol will be their second Croatian signing of the summer as they unite the international colleagues.
The Premier League and newly crowned European champions are looking to make room for Gvardiol in their squad next seaason with the sale of Spain international Aymeric Laporte, who is attracting interest from a number of the Premier League clubs – including Aston Villa and Tottenham.